A message from our Vice President
Be Bold for Change
The current unprecedented coverage of women’s sport through social media and television that showcases the excitement, athleticism and competitiveness of female athletes has been wonderful, however for many of us we’ve known the strength of women’s sport for a long time.
Whilst Australian female athletes have dominated on the world stage, this current surge in interest and the acknowledgement of female sport being an exciting product worthy to watch, is really something to harness. This showcasing of female sport can change attitudes and provides a much needed focus on the issue of gender parity. The International Women’s Day #BeBoldForChange strategy is a powerful platform to emphasise the unlimited potential gender parity offers communities and individuals.
I’m proud to be part of the School Sport Australia organisation where gender parity is evident throughout our program and at every level, whether as a player, a teacher or at Board level. Many remarkable young women have come through the school sport pathway either as athletes or student officials or as educators. In whatever capacity, school sport provides a level playing field to nurture the potential of all children and teachers as collaborators, as leaders, as valued members of teams and sporting communities.
I urge all the women that participate in school sport, to be influential within your own communities, not only today on International Women’s Day, but whenever possible; to be bold, strong and purposeful in articulating the importance of gender parity, and how your personal experience in school sport is a vital cog in this social change that’s occurring. Be Bold For Change!
Jude Maguire
School Sport Australia Vice President
Twitter: @JudeMaguire
School Sport Australia’s 2017 opportunities for girls
School Sport Australia Championships
Australian Football 12 Years and Under – Darwin, NT
Australian Football 15 Years and Under Girls – Perth & Mandurah, WA
Basketball 18 Years and Under Girls – Canberra, ACT
Cricket 12 Years and Under Girls – Barooga, NSW
Cross Country 10 – 19 Years – TBC
Orienteering Under 15 and 16 – 19 Years – Bathurst, NSW
Surfing 13 – 18 Years – Culburra, NSW
Tennis 12 Years and Under Girls – Bendigo, VIC
Tennis 18 Years and Under Girls – Shepparton, VIC
Triathlon (13 – 14 Years, 15 – 16 Years, 17 – 19 Years) – Penrith, NSW
Volleyball 15 Years and Under Girls – Mandurah, WA
Water Polo 17 Years and Under Girls – Noosa, QLD
Pacific School Games – Adelaide, South Australia
Basketball 12 Years and Under Girls
Diving 10 – 19 Years
Football 12 Years and Under Girls
Football 18 Years and Under Girls
Goalball 16 Years and Under
Golf 12 Years and Under Girls
Golf 17 Years and Under Girls
Hockey 12 Years and Under Girls
Hockey 16 Years and Under Girls
Netball 12 Years and Under Girls
Netball 15 Years and Under Girls
Softball 12 Years and Under Girls
Softball 17 Years and Under Girls
Swimming 10 – 19 Years
Touch Football 12 Years and Under Girls
Touch Football 15 Years and Under Girls
Track & Field 10 – 12 Years
For more information on how to represent your state or territory at School Sport Australia Championships and the Pacific School Games please contact your State or Territory’s School Sport Office. Please click here to view these details.