Women in Sport
My great aunt, Evelyn De Lacy, qualified to represent Australia at the 1936 Olympics but she was initially not selected to attend the games. Several men not as highly ranked as Evelyn were selected. This caused some consternation in Western Australia, and following a popular campaign, Evelyn’s omission was overturned, and she was selected to be on a 32-person Australian team – comprising of 28 men, and only four women.
This story inspired me. And when I was selected to represent Australia at the London Olympics, I wrote a diary which was published alongside Evelyn’s 1936 Olympic diary. In the intervening years, a lot has improved for women in sport. But more change is required.
When I moved to South Australia, I was invited to be part of the Government’s Women in Sport Task Force. It appalled me that women’s sport did not receive the same covered as men (and on the evening news, women’s sport at the time received less coverage than horseracing). This bias was also reflected in the lack of women’s changerooms and other basic amenities for female athletes.
Young female athletes face other issues, such as concerns over body image. Mentoring young female athletes is a focus. I want to see more women realise their dreams and potential through sport.