Speeches
Wednesday, 27 November 2024
Reception for Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Centre for Women's Sport
Rod and I warmly welcome you all to Government House for the presentation of certificates to the first graduates of the Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Centre for Women’s Sport Education Program.
In the past few years, it has been encouraging to see significant breakthroughs in Australian women’s sport.
There’s been enthusiastic public interest in the Matildas, AFLW and women’s cricket, among others, as well as some truly outstanding performances, including those at the Paris Olympics, where women won 13 of our 18 gold medals.
It’s also becoming more common to see female commentators working alongside men on media desks in high profile sports, such as cricket and football, demonstrating expertise and insightful knowledge of the game.
Momentum’s growing, but significant challenges remain.
In addition to the gender pay gap, Sport SA statistics tell us that only 24 percent of national sporting organisations have female CEOs, and women’s sport still receives only 4 percent of all sports media coverage.
Initiatives such as the Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Centre for Women’s Sport program, are already making a strong contribution to growing our next generation of women leaders.
It was my pleasure to be part of the official opening of the centre in April 2023, alongside my distinguished predecessor, the Hon Marjorie Jackson Nelson.
As I said then, together with the great work of Sport SA, having an exceptional sportswoman and public figure like Marj lend her name and patronage to the Centre would surely inspire interest in the program.
This certainly seems to be the case, with participants in both the inaugural and upcoming programs representing 27 sports.
I congratulate Sport SA on the early success of this program, attracting strong fields of high achieving women seeking to make meaningful contributions to sport in our state.
I congratulate the graduates with us this evening for completing the program.
You all have busy lives and careers, and I thank you for prioritising your personal and professional development so you can play a role advancing women’s sport in our state, as well as pursue your own potential as individuals.
I thank Julie Anderson and Juliet Haslam for leading the inaugural program over a 12-month period.
I thank the Centre’s Ambassadors for building awareness of the program in our community and communicating its many benefits to potential participants.
I note Sport SA’s introduction of the Ashleigh Young scholarships in 2024; a fitting way to honour Ashleigh, one your inaugural participants who sadly passed away last year.
I also thank Chair, the Hon. Michael Wright, who is retiring from Sport SA after 10 years of service.
He has been a strong advocate for the Centre for Women’s Sport.
Congratulations once again to our graduates and I look forward to watching your progress here in South Australia, and perhaps, Australia and the world.