World champion cliff-diver Rhiannon Iffland, Olympic gold medallist Kerri Pottharst and Australian netball representative Sam Poolman are set to headline an inaugural Lake Macquarie festival celebrating women and girls in sport next month.
The Hunter-first Lake Mac Women’s Sports Festival will take place from March 11 to March 13 encouraging female sports participation and exploring how to grow and nurture women’s sport in a rapidly changing society.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said four key themes would underpin the weekend: empowerment and celebration, advocacy and power, athletic excellence, and community and support.
“Looking at recent events, from Ash Barty’s historic Australian Open victory to the Ashes win by the Australian women’s cricket team, it’s clear that women’s sport has never been stronger in our country,” Cr Fraser said.
“However, there is still much we can do to break down the barriers, encourage more females to get involved and really champion women in the sporting arena.”
The event will showcase a range of sports matches, workshops, clinics and live entertainment, and includes a combination of talks, symposiums and hands-on activities for girls and women of all ages.
“This will be a great opportunity for girls and women to come out and watch or try a variety of sports, without any cost or commitment,” Cr Fraser said.
Kerri Pottharst, a pioneer of women’s sport in Australia who won gold at the 2000 Olympics, will help launch the weekend at a Friday, March 11 breakfast at Warners Bay Theatre, talking about her experience as an elite female athlete.
Locally born and bred Sam Poolman, who represented Australia in netball at under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels, will take part in a Saturday, March 12 symposium at Charlestown Leagues Club, joining other sportswomen, sports administrators and industry experts to tackle key issues facing women in Australian sport.
Poolman said the festival was a “fantastic opportunity to connect with and inspire the local community”.
“This is an opportunity to learn and be empowered by athletes and successful businesswomen,” Poolman said.
Four-time world champion cliff-diver Rhiannon Iffland will also return to her hometown for the festival, joining a discussion on females in sport.
A Friday symposium at Central Charlestown Leagues will feature University of Newcastle Associate Professor Narelle Eather, a former elite netballer who will talk about the benefits of early participation in sport, and Nutrition Nation founder Rebecca Haslam, who will talk through the importance of sport to health and wellbeing.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the NSW Government was helping make sport more accessible by delivering programs that encouraged girls and women to participate in the sports and activities they want to play.
“Some of Australia’s best sporting talents have made their debut on a regional pitch, field or court and we want to see more female athletes living in regional NSW showcase their talent at the grassroots level,” Toole said.
The NSW Government contributed $50,000 to the festival through its $500M Stronger Community Fund, with Toole claiming the NSW Government was investing record amounts to deliver “big-picture infrastructure needed to stimulate economies”.
“We’re also backing community projects that make a big difference to everyday life,” he said.
The festival coincides with International Women’s Day, and activities include free female-only yoga and learn-to-surf sessions at Blacksmiths, soccer and rugby sevens at St John’s Oval, and a netball masterclass at Charlestown netball courts on Sunday.
A detailed list of the program can be found on Lake Macquarie City’s website.
Information source: Lake Macquarie City