Top 20 Women of Influence in Australian Sport launched by News Corp
With just three weeks until one of the most important dates in the history of sport, today News Corp announces a bid to celebrate the most influential women in the game – on and off the field.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It was described by many as the greatest day in Australian women’s sport.
First, surfer Sally Fitzgibbons cut a monster wave to win the Rio Pro, a few hours later French Open tennis champion Ashleigh Barty won her third tournament of the year – making her Australia’s first world number one in 16 years.
Golfer Hannah Green, ranked 114 in the world, then grabbed a shock victory at the Women’s PGA Championship in Minnesota.
It made her the third Australian woman ever to win a golf major and just for good measure Australia’s women’s eight crew won gold at rowing World Cup in Poland.
The triumphs were a showcase for what can now be regarded as a golden era for women’s sport and female athletes.
But who is our best?
Each year brings bigger crowd figures, new competitions, increased television coverage and new records.
Finally, the Australian public is buying into women’s sport and how could we not with the likes of Barty and Co?
But as noted by trailblazer for women’s sport – and former Olympic Chef de Mission, Modern Pentathlon Australia president and Gymnastics Australia chief executive – Kitty Chiller the spoils have been coming.
“Women’s sports have long been under-represented at the elite level compared to their male counterparts,” she said
“But in recent times, a mix of high-profile events, better prize money and once-in-a-generation stars have boosted the profile of Australian women’s sport.
“And now there is also an expection that women shouldn’t be treated any differently to men at any level.”
With just three weeks until one of the most important dates in the history of sport, today News Corp announces a bid to celebrate the most influential women in the game – on and off the field.
Ahead of what is anticipated to be a record-breaking crowd for a women’s sporting event – the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup Final on March 8, International Women’s Day, we have commissioned a panel of experts to select the Top 20 Women of Influence In Australian Sport.
The aim is to recognise the women who at this moment in time, are forces for positive change; our role models; visionaries and tireless supporters of women in sport.
From current athletes like the stars of our Australian Women’s cricket team – our Ellyse Perry’s – through to those in positions of leadership off the field, what unites them all is a clear vision for a better future, and the talent and skills to drive that vision into reality.
Ms Chiller, who is part of the judging panel, said in among the likes of Matildas’ striker Sam Kerr, gun surfer Steph Gilmore and Barty – are people like Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
In driving the bid for the 2032 Olympics, Ms Chiller said Palaszczuk has the ability to have the biggest impact on Australian sport since the Sydney Olympics.
The Top 20 will be announced exclusively on March 1 in body&soul, with your News Corp Sunday newspaper.
Joining Ms Chiller on our judging panel is:
* Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates,
* News Corp Olympics Editor Mick Carroll
* Fox commentator Kelli Underwood
* Fox commentator Yvonne Sampson
* Olympian and AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone
* Chair of Sport Australia Hall of Fame John Bertrand.
The current crowd record for a women’s sporting crowd is 90,185, set at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final in Pasadena, California.
Aussie cricket skipper Meg Lanning said the opportunity to play in such an historic moment is something that had been discussed by the squad.
“The opportunity to play in the final – in front of what we hope will be a record crowd – has not been lost on us and it’s something we want to be part of,” Lanning said.
“We can’t wait for the tournament to start and we haven’t shied away from wanting to be there. This really is a special moment in Australian sport and for women’s sport.
“I think all of us feel incredibly proud and lucky to be of the resurgence of women’s cricket – and women’s sport.
“And it’s great for female athletes to be recognised.”
BE THE MOMENT
Make history: Let us know if you’re going to help #FillTheMCG
Don’t miss a thing: Watch the final and join the T20 party on Foxtel and Kayo
MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT
We also want to know who you think are the key contenders for the most influential women are in sport, and why — tell us at in the comments below.
Originally published as Top 20 Women of Influence in Australian Sport launched by News Corp