CHRONICLE COLUMN – 15 AUGUST 2023 – SPORT AND WOMEN IN SPORT
Wisconsin State Journal reports that the attendance of 1,533,545 fans so far in the first two rounds of the Women’s World Cup 2023 has exceeded the previous record total of 1,353,506 when staged in Canada in 2015. We do love our sport; it is part of our DNA.
In women’s sport there continues to be much debate around matters like inequality in broadcasting opportunities and the need of increased financial backing. These two matters need acknowledgement and a collective way to move forward. But I will not be entering that spiky debate, today.
For me the initial question is: Do we have enough high-performance facilities or infrastructure for women, or any sex actually, to fulfill our thirst for sporting heroes in the future? And do these facilitates cater for traditional and new sport?
Locally, we know elite infrastructure is a critical gap resulting in significant leakage of our upcoming sports people away from our region. Is it too much to ask for a regional, state, or national elite sporting academy to be located right here in Toowoomba?
Should we create one ourselves? The economics of sport are a no brainer.
The Future of Australian Sport Report articulates that sport isn’t just a favoured pastime for Australians; it is a significant contributor to the Australian economy. Sport is estimated to contribute around 0.8% of Australia’s GDP and 1.5% of total employment in Australia. A figure they say underestimates the value of exercise and physical fitness to national productivity, human capital uplift, savings to government expenditure on other areas such as health, education and justice, and investment in sporting infrastructure and facilities.
So where am I going with all this?
In the context of the economics of sport, grappling locally with the void of elite sport infrastructure and ongoing discussions around the women in sport challenges and opportunities, the Toowoomba Chamber decided to team up with the Oakey Chamber of Commerce and Western Clydesdale, as part of our Leading Women Series, to celebrate and support a Dual Code International, Brisbane Bronco, Queensland Maroon and Australian Jillaroo, Shenae Ciesiolka.
Did you know Shenae has direct ties to Oakey and Toowoomba?
Women in Sport!
Did you know she held Youth Commonwealth and Olympic Gold Medals whilst still in school?
Did you know she had her first professional contract with Rugby Australia at the tender age of 17?
Shenae is now an NRLW Premiership holder, State of Origin Champion and World Cup winner aged just 26. She continues to inspire young athletes to follow their dreams by engaging with schools, community organisations and through her game development role with the National Rugby League.
Join us on 14 September 2023 and be inspired by a local sporting legend – multiple winners of the UniSQ Sportsperson of the Year – and help us raise funds to support women in sport.
Grab your tickets at www.toowoombachamber.com.au
