‘You can’t be what you can’t see’

This International Women’s Day, at GippSport, we want to celebrate Gippsland women who contribute to our community sport by breaking down barriers.

Marked annually on March 8th, International Women’s Day (IWD) is one of the most important days of the year to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about women’s equality and lobby for gender parity.

The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2022 is #BreakTheBias. Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists isn’t enough. Action is needed to level the playing field. To learn more, click here.

We have worked with and supported community administrators across six Gippsland LGAs, who are involved in various sports at either paid or volunteer. 

At GippSport, we want to highlight all the amazing women and their work in leading the way in sport through their roles. 

Visit the profiles of the 7 Gippsland Women who are creating change, both on and off the playing field.

Anouk

Head Coach of Sale United FC Senior Men’s Team

Anouk Meereboer's appointment as Head Coach of Sale United Football Club has broken new ground in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League (LVSL), as she has become the first female to lead a senior men's team in the competition's history.

A former Sale United FC player, Meereboer has proven her mettle as both on and off the pitch throughout her football career.

Read more on Anouk's story:
Click Here

Beth

Head Coach of Leongatha Knights Senior Men’s Team

Beth never set out to coach; it was something she fell into.

“I had always fought for gender equality in our sport and through our local league, but I had never championed myself as an individual. Coaching senior men wasn’t even something I had thought of doing before someone planted the idea in my head, but after that I knew it was a challenge that I wanted to take on.”

Beth implore more women to get involved in coaching saying “it would be incredible to one day have a network of female coaches who regularly get together and support each other. We as an industry need to continue to bring women into the space so that we can continue to break down barriers.”

Read more on Beth’s story:
Click Here

 

Bodye

President of Gippsland Ranges Roller Derby.

A former board member of Gippsland Women’s Health both all-women leadership groups with a focus on inclusion, equity and empowerment. Bodye has also supported over a hundred committees across Wellington Shire to strengthen their governance practices and is an alumni of the Gippsland Community Leadership Program.

Chelsea

Founder and Director at SUMMERSALT Gymnastics.

The development of SUMMERSALT Gymnastics has  brought to life Chelsea's philosophy that gymnastics really is the launchpad for all sports - and life.  Chelsea has worked in community engagement with organizations such as the AFL, Calisthenics Victoria, Tennis Australia and wanted to create an environment at SUMMERSALT that preached the benefits that gymnastics provides, having experienced these first hand as a coach and participant for over 20 years. Chelsea holds a Masters in Business (Sports Management).

Ella

Bass Coast Breakers Women's football team &
Victoria's Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Football Ambassador

Ella spent her childhood at her local football netball club, following in her parents’ footsteps by volunteering her time to support the community.

With no opportunity to play the game growing up, Ella saw her chance to get involved in a non-playing capacity and make a difference for the next generation by establishing the Dalyston Youth Girls in 2015. This was the only women or girls team in the whole Bass Coast/South Gippsland region at the time. In 2017 Ella founded the Bass Coast Breakers Women's football team in the South Eastern Women's Development League and went on to become President and Playing Assistant Coach.

Ella played her first game of AFL at the age of 33, chalking up over 50 games and winning a premiership with the Breakers in 2018. Ella’s 30-year contribution to football has been recognized with the Volunteer of the Year Award for the South Eastern Women's competition, Gippsland Women’s Coach of the Year Award and a Premiers Volunteer Champions Award.

Read more on Ella's story: 
Click Here

Julie

GippSport Board

Working for Wellington Shire Council as a General Manager for Community & Culture, Julie understands how to create a supportive culture when making change through good decisions & good processes.

Julie has plenty of experience working within varying governance frameworks across other profit and non-profit industries in paid & unpaid roles, including sport, community, and health. Through a Scholarship from the Office for Women, Julie has completed the Company Directors Course with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, helping strengthen her knowledge and skills in governance.

When it comes to community sport, Julie has been involved at multiple levels, from coaching basketball and tennis to holding a committee position role with the Maffra Lawn Tennis Club

Julie is currently Deputy Chair with GippSport and has contributed over 10 years of service with the organisation. In 2017, she was appointed the first female chair of GippSport, a position she held until 2020.

Julie has a goal to influence outcomes for the health and wellbeing of her community through leadership and good governance and get more women around the table with her!

Hannah 

President of Phillip Island Boardriders Club

The Phillip Island Boardriders Club is a volunteer-run community club that exists to provide surfers of all abilities with opportunities, and at the same time aims to preserve and safeguard the sport of surfing and promote a positive surfing culture throughout the community.

Hannah was recently elected as Club President in February being the second female president in the clubs 59 years.

“As President and a passionate community member, I’m excited about the next generations of junior surfers coming through the ranks and the involvement of the older crew who grew the club to what it is today.”

Read more about Hannah's stories:
Click Here

 

GippSport acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work, The Bunurong Peoples, Gunaikurnai Peoples and other traditional owner groups of the Gippsland/East Gippsland Region.  We recognise their ongoing connection to the land, waters and community, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and the ongoing living culture of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people.

GippSport is committed to making a positive contribution to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and working in solidarity towards reconciliation.

Click Here for GippSport T&Cs

GippSport – Gippsland Sports Assembly Inc.
PO Box 741, Traralgon, VIC, Australia 3844
Traralgon Sports Stadium, Catterick Cres, Traralgon

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