Students inspired to take action
Agroup of Horsham College students will incorporate inspiring messages from professional and amateur sportswomen into their own lives following a school project.
Teacher Jaymi O’connor said her year-10 Active Girls class had taken away strong messages after completing assignments on women in sport.
“The students were asked to interview women who act as role models for young girls to participate in sport,” she said.
“In previous years students have interviewed local women, but this year I tried to get them to aim a bit higher and try to get interviews with some high-profile sportswomen.
“Some of them aimed pretty high and they all did a great job and have taken a lot from it.”
Caitlin Devlin said she, Jasmine Talbot, Tia Harris and Ebony Ballinger interviewed Western Bulldogs women’s AFL player Emma Kearney.
“We chose her because she’s not only amazing at what she does, she has a positive and great outlook on life,” she said.
“She surrounds herself with positive feedback and support.”
Jasmine said support was an important part of success.
“I know a lot of parents are like, ‘don’t do that, that’s a boy’s sport’, but Emma was encouraged to play footy,” she said.
“That encouragement behind made her more enthusiastic.”
Alisha Matheson and Allison Pannan her took advantage of a family connection to interview pioneering mountain climber Brigitte Muir, of Natimuk.
Allison said the pair decided to focus on a ‘more unusual’ sport, which showed what people were capable of.
Muir was the first Australian woman to reach the summit of Mt Everest and the first Australian – male or female – to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents.
“When she was at high school in Belgium, in one of her lessons she was told ‘we must live our dreams, not dream our lives’,” Allison said.
“That inspired her to get into climbing and mountaineering.
“We asked if she had any comments for young women in sport. She said, ‘if it’s in your heart and that’s what makes you happy, do it. Don’t worry about anything else. If you need money, get a job. Save up and do it’.”
Alisha said Muir believed gender was irrelevant to success.
“She said whatever you do in life is entirely up to you, whether you’re a woman, man or in between,” she said.
“She feels when there is a will there is a way, and when there is a calling you need to find a way to make it happen.”
Rising above
Elly Potter and Mya Jones interviewed Collingwood Magpies netballer Micaela Wilson and sprint-car racer Lisa Walker.
Elly said she was impressed by the way the pair rose above negative comments while participating in ‘male dominated sports’.
Nicole Dalziel and Isabella Goudie also chose Wilson for their project.
Nicole said they were thrilled when Wilson responded to their email.
“We were really stoked to get a response from her because we both love netball,” she said.
Nicole said they found Wilson relatable, particularly when she told a story about having to sit on the bench during an entire national under-17 final.
“She was bottom age, she still had another year to go, and she shook it off,” she said.
“She came back the next year and said ‘I’ll be better’. She worked even harder to be on the court. She knew where she wanted to be and she ended up getting there. “Her story is pretty cool.” Isabella said Wilson’s story inspired her to work harder.
Matilda White and Lauren Sykes chose a sporting figure closer to home, targeting Horsham runner Stacey White.
Matilda said White went by the motto, ‘everything good hurts a little’.
“She’s had a double mastectomy but she still pushes on to do marathons and training, even though she’s been through all that,” she said.
“Her inspiration is Turia Pitt. She’s been burnt but shows she can run even though she’s been through a bit of hell, which is kind of the same as Stacey.
“She’s pretty inspirational.”