Surf Life Saving Queensland accused of sexism over Youth Surf Life Saving Championships

Surf Life Saving Queensland has been accused of sexism, following the under-15 ironman and ironwoman events at the junior state championships on the Gold Coast.

Surf lifesavers at the Queensland Youth Championships at North Burleigh. Picture: HARVPIX

SURF Life Saving Queensland has been accused of sexism, after female ironwomen were allegedly snubbed in the junior state championships on the Gold Coast.

A young female lifesaver has launched an online petition demanding equality after what she claims was a lack of recognition for girls who competed in the Under 15 Ironwoman final in the Queensland Youth Surf Life Saving Championships at Burleigh Heads last weekend.

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Sunshine Beach lifesaver Ella Gooderham, whose sister Lily was among the finalists in the U15 Ironwoman event, says there was a ‘lack of equality’ shown.

“With 16 females competing in the final, they were called to the line as a group and set off for their race,” Ella said in her change.org petition.

“Following this, 16 males were called for their race individually with their names over the loud speaker, were filmed with professional cameras and were displayed on social media.

“Personally, my sister and her friends competed in the Ironwoman final and asked parents and others around them why they didn’t receive such recognition for their achievements in qualifying for a state final.”

Ella said she respected the fact that the boys were competing for the Matthew Barclay Memorial Trophy, named after a young Sunshine Coast ironman who died at the Australian Titles at Kurrawa in 2012.

A member of Currumbin surf lifesaving club at the Queensland Youth Championships at North Burleigh. Picture: HARVPIX

“However, that did not prohibit them announcing the females onto the start line in the same manner,” she said.

“The weekend after International Women’s Day, it is saddening to see the lack of equality in such an admired sport.

“Therefore, this petition was created in order to achieve recognition for the 16 females who competed in an equally testing race, but received no acknowledgment, and for equality among future female and male competitors.”

More than 700 people have signed the petition since Ella launched it earlier this week.

“Completely justified request,” one petitioner wrote.

“This is a matter of basic respect and courtesy to treat all competitors equally. Tradition is no excuse. Time to move out of the dark ages Surf Lifesaving Queensland!!!”

Another petitioner said the snub was ‘very unfair’.

North Queensland’s fastest nippers train at the Smithfield wake park ahead of the Surf Life Saving Queensland’s (SLSQ) Youth State Championships at Alexandra Headland. Picture: Anna Rogers

“I get the tradition with the trophy but that was a total lack of respect to the girls today, not cool especially in this day and age!!” she wrote.

Surf Life Saving Queensland has pledged to make changes in response to the petition.

“As one of our pinnacle events, the Queensland Youth Surf Life Saving Championships saw more than 1,600 nippers from across the state line up across three wonderful days of racing,” a spokesman said.

“We appreciate any and all feedback, and we thank Ella for bringing this to our attention.

“While we attempt to highlight all events, we do unfortunately have to alter commentary of our Youth Championships between multiple competition areas with events occurring concurrently, and in very quick succession.

“This year saw a number of changes to our Youth Championships, with positive feedback received. As always, we are committed to delivering a world-class sporting carnival for our nippers and junior lifesavers, and we look forward to working with all members moving forward to help continuously improve on the running and success of our pinnacle youth event.

“Once again, we thank Ella for her valuable feedback, which will be implemented in the future to ensure all of our events receive the recognition they deserve.’’