24 October 2019: ACT Meteors star Angela Reakes says when she came to ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ five years ago, she was surprised by the high level of community support for women’s sport in this city.
That sentiment is echoed across all women’s sport in ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, and in many ways, has contributed to the success of those teams.
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Capitals Co-captain Kelsey Griffin says ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ is a special place in the way it promotes women’s sport.
“I’ve only been here for a couple of years, but I have felt so embraced. Women’s sport is well and truly alive in the capital,” she said.
“It is a great feeling when you can see that you are making a difference to somebody else’s day, and the fact that I can do that through sport is quite empowering. It is definitely part of the reason why I enjoy playing.”
The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Capitals, who are the reigning WNBL champions, have started the 2019/20 season with two wins from two games. The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Chill Women’s Hockey team are third on the ladder heading into the final two regular season games against Adelaide in the inaugural Hockey One competition. The ACT Meteors have had a great start to the National Women’s Cricket League season, while ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ United with a young, dynamic playing roster, are about to start their W-League campaign.
The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Summer of Women’s Sport was launched at the University of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ this week, a fitting location given the University’s commitment to women’s sport including the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Capitals and ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ United.
Vice President, University Relations and Strategy, Belinda Robinson, says it is further evidence of the University’s role within the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ community.
“We at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ are thrilled to be hosting this event and to celebrate great role models who are championing women’s sport in ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½,” said Ms Robinson.
Ms Reakes says the high level of promotion for women’s sport has a positive impact on young girls playing sport.
“I work part-time in a physio practice and young girls come in and know that I play cricket. It is quite flattering, but it is also a great thing for women’s sport, because they are watching and seeing you as a role model, and participation is growing,” she said.
The University’s role as a major supporter of women’s sport in ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ can’t be underestimated; such support is one of the major reasons for the continued success of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’s women’s sporting teams.