They are all at the top of their field in different sports but five high-profile sportswomen shared a common message with a group of Lake Macquarie high school students on Thursday: stay active.
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Matilda Chloe Logarzo (football), NSW Breaker Maisy Gibson (cricket), GWS Giant Erin McKinnon (AFL), Paralympic bronze medallist Erin Cleaver (athletics) and Jillaroo Caitlin Moran (rugby league) formed an elite panel at the inaugural Girls Get Active Day held at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Speers Point.
The Sport NSW event was run with the support of Lake Macquarie City Council and gave female high school students the opportunity to engage with elite sportswomen as well as try their hand at several sports.
The common theme among panelists was playing sport and being active held many benefits, including making lifelong friends as well as improved physical and mental well-being.
McKinnon, the youngest and tallest player picked for the inaugural women’s AFL competition next year, said sport helped her maintain her focus and discipline through her high school studies.
“It is so important to spread awareness of the benefits of being active to girls and to encourage them to keep playing sport,” McKinnon said.
“I was in year 12 this year and playing sport really helped me with the stress of the HSC.”
I was in year 12 this year and playing sport really helped me with the stress of the HSC.
- - Erin McKinnon
Sport NSW spokesperson Sophie Milton said traditionally they saw a dramatic decrease in female participation in sport during high school years.
“This is an opportunity for them to be inspired by some high-profile athletes as well as get the chance to try out several new sports,” Milton said.
Sport NSW chief executive officer Darren Simpson said he was committed to continuing the Girls Get Active Events program, and hoped the panel of elite athletes could encourage more girls to participate in sport.
“We are very lucky to have such a great group of athletes to tell their stories to the girls this week in our first Girls Get Active Day since we integrated with Womensport and Recreation NSW (WRNSW).
“Sport NSW is delighted to continue these events and hopes that these successful young sportswomen can inspire the girls in their own sporting endeavours,” Mr Simpson said.
Lake Macquarie mayor Cr Kay Fraser said the Girls Get Active Day sent an important message to young women about the importance of being active and the range of sporting options open to them.
“Many of those on the panel excel in sports that were not traditionally open to women, or that women were not encouraged to play,” Cr Fraser said.
“Their success reinforces the message that girls can do anything.”
Students from Lake Macquarie high schools got to trial the sports of football, basketball, AFL, cricket, rugby league, ultimate frisbee and athletics.
