From pay rises to maternity leave clauses: It’s an exciting time to be involved in women’s sport
Women’s sport is changing. And as it does, it’s throwing up a whole new set of strong, hardworking, dedicated female role models.
It makes me feel old to admit it, but times sure have changed since I was young.
It’s been five years since I retired from elite netball, but in that time there has been unprecedented advancement in female sport.
I could feel jealous of the girls who will be our sport stars of tomorrow. After all, they will benefit from the payrises and the contract clauses and the maternity leave.
But I don’t.
Change is happening quickly.
Sport is full of positive role models and as a mother of two young daughters, I am excited by the recent changes that will benefit them - and all the other young girls out there - either as players or as supporters.
When the young girls of today grow up, they might play Aussie Rules football. And if they do, they won’t be berated or belittled; instead they’ll be encouraged and supported by professional clubs.
On Thursday, the AFL announced a pay rise for its AFLW players and — historically — for the first time the competition will offer prize money for the premier.
It’s incredible: only four years ago, playing AFL football wasn’t a possibility for a girl, let alone getting paid to do it. Into the future, any young girl who decides to put on some footy boots might even have pay equality with the men.
Or girls might grow up to play netball. And if they do, they will be part of a sport that has championed change: two years ago, a landmark deal handed today’s netball players not only significant pay rises to make them the highest paid professional female athletes in the country, but offered them childcare, maternity leave and contract safeguards should she fall pregnant.
I deliberately put off having children until my early 30s when my career had finished. Others won’t need to make that choice.
But if netball or football isn’t for them, girls might play soccer.
And if they do, they could play for Australia and become a household name, like superstar Sam Kerr. They’ll be courted by overseas clubs and they’ll play in World Cups.
Or, they might play cricket. And if they do, their international cricket games will be broadcast alongside the men’s.
I was heartened to read this week that because of a new Memorandum of Understanding with Cricket Australia giving a payrise to State cricketers, two Scorpions have been able to quit their full-time jobs to concentrate on their game.
This week, I am inspired as I watch the likes of SA’s Megan Schutt, or the incomparable Alyssa Healy or the unflappable Meg Lanning win cricket games in brutal fashion for Australia in the current T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.
That could be any young girl one day. It’s all about choice. Options. Opportunity.
A fortnight ago, I announced that I would be taking on the role of specialist midfield coach for the Thunderbirds and it’s wonderful to be part of women’s elite sport again.
The more professional all forms of women’s sport becomes, then the stronger, the fitter and the better athletes those sports will produce.
And imagine the future hardworking, strong, dedicated female role models we’ll all have to look up to.