For International Women’s Day 2025, we celebrate Rachel, a powerhouse in Gippsland’s sporting community who is actively #AcceleratingAction for gender equality in sport. From playing and coaching at the highest levels to mentoring young athletes and advocating for regional talent, Rachel is breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of women in sport.
A Lifelong Passion for Netball
Rachel’s journey in netball has been nothing short of inspiring. She has played, coached, and umpired throughout both her junior and senior years, excelling in representative teams, academies, and State Titles. Now, she leads by example as the A-Grade Playing Coach at Sale Football Netball Club, proving that women can excel as both athletes and leaders on the court.
Her dedication to the game extends beyond the club level—Rachel has taken on a vital Performance Analyst role with the Victorian U17 State Team
for the second consecutive year, helping shape the next generation of elite netballers through data analysis and strategic insights. As she embarks on her new role as an Apprentice Coach for the Eastern Talent Academy, she is actively working toward her Advanced Coaching Accreditation, ensuring she continues to develop as a leader in the sport.
“I absolutely love working with athletes and helping them become the best they possibly can be—pushing them harder than they perhaps enjoy,” Rachel says. “Seeing them grow, improve, and realise their potential is what drives me.”
Breaking Barriers in High-Performance Sport
Rachel’s impact isn’t limited to netball. Her passion for athlete development led her to Gippsland Power (Aussie Rules Football), where she completed her exercise science placement and later became the Female High-Performance Lead. Over two years, she worked across the U16s Future Program and the U18s Coates Talent League, helping develop young athletes with tailored strength and conditioning programs.
Now, she is halfway through her Level 2 Australian Strength & Conditioning Certificate, further deepening her expertise in performance coaching.
Championing Opportunities for Regional Athletes
Rachel is driven by one clear goal—bridging the gap between metro and regional opportunities for athletes in both netball and football. She has seen firsthand how city-based athletes often have better access to elite coaching, pathways, and resources, and she is determined to change that.
“I love it all,” Rachel says. “I do it to try and bridge the gap between metro opportunities and what is on offer for regional and rural athletes.”
From her high-performance coaching roles to mentoring young athletes and advocating for stronger development pathways, Rachel is accelerating action to ensure that talent is nurtured, regardless of postcode.
#AccelerateAction for Women in Sport
Rachel’s story is a testament to the power of women in leadership and the importance of taking decisive action to drive gender equality in sport. In a world where progress toward gender parity remains slow—with full equality projected to take until 2158—Rachel is proving that change can happen when we step up, take action, and challenge the status quo.
For International Women’s Day 2025, let’s follow Rachel’s lead. Let’s push for more opportunities, greater recognition, and stronger pathways for women and girls in sport. Together, we can #AccelerateAction and create a future where every girl and woman have the opportunity to thrive in the game they love.
Join us in celebrating trailblazing women like Rachel by sharing her story and supporting inclusive sporting opportunities in Gippsland!
