Siren 64: Tully Bevilaqua, Skye Nicolson, what makes Ash Barty so good & more
A Women in Sport Collective
In the wake of last week’s discussion of netball and its toughness, the power inherent in the voices of athletes—former and current—was yet again highlighted. While historically the men who play sport have never shied away from using whatever platforms are available to speak to issues of equity, as Liz Ellis writes, women are finding their voices in increasingly powerful and important ways.
Social media has provided a direct avenue to fellow athletes, but also to fans, who can heed athlete’s rallying cries and amplify their messages. That so many are using this avenue to open up discussions on gender, race and broader conversation around equity is to be applauded.
“Why not take the opportunity to make change, to get your point across, to start debate, to improve the outcomes for your sport, your race, your gender? Being good at sport doesn’t make you immune from injustice. In fact it can further open your eyes to its existence and its effect...” Ellis wrote.
This use of voice is, in many ways, a taking up of space. More, it’s a demand for space and for all that that space brings. There are parallels in the discussion around Tayla Harris and her contract. Putting aside the debate about Harris’ form, the broader issue here is the pay gap that persists in many professional sports. For many women in the AFLW, NRLW and W-League, the money they receive to play at the elite level is impossible to live on. There’s no doubt this stifles not only the growth and development of the individuals but the leagues themselves.
It also stifles voices, as Ellis wrote, “...the threat of being booted from your position as captain, or your place in the team, has been used by sporting administrators since Mary pulled on the GK bib for Bethlehem to get their athletes to toe the line.”
Women in professional sport are expected to be grateful. To take what they’re given—or more accurately, what they’ve worked incredibly hard to get—and be quiet, basically. That they are increasingly unafraid to be loud, to ask questions and to demand a response is a positive and important change. It’s one we wholeheartedly support. Here’s to those voices getting louder, to more of them, and to the change they can bring.
In this issue
Kasey Symons caught up with former Aussie Opal and WNBA champion Tully Bevilaqua about her new podcast ‘Laid Back’, which she co-hosts with another former Aussie Opal and WNBA champion (and unofficial Siren shirt ambassador!) Lauren Jackson. Official Siren Collaborator Mary Konstantopoulos speaks with Australian boxer Skye Nicolson as she prepares to compete in Tokyo, and contributor Linda Pearce shares what makes Ash Barty so tough to beat on clay.
Kate O’Halloran will be appearing in this excellent event from the Wheeler Centre as part of their Broadly Speaking series which will unpack questions like ‘What would it mean to approach sporting stories through a truly intersectional and inclusive feminist lens?’ Get your tickets now!
And Kasey Symons will be speaking at the Hawthorn Library as part of their ‘What If?’ series asking ‘What If? When all sports stopped, men's sport still dominated the media?’ Tickets are free but you have to book!
Kasey also co-published a research paper for European Sport Management Quarterly based on the women in sport coverage numbers Siren collected over a three-month period last year:
And don’t forget to check out Gemma Bastiani’s AFLW season review before the Trade & Sign Period kicks off on the 31st of May. Part One and Part Two are now available.
Podcast: WNBA star and Australian Opal Tully Bevilaqua
By Kasey Symons
In this instalment of the Siren podcast, Kasey Symons speaks to WNBA star and Australian Opal Tully Bevilaqua about her new project with Lauren Jackson.
Slice, slide and serve: what makes Ash Barty so good on clay
By Linda Pearce
As Roland Garros approaches, Linda Pearce looks at Ash Barty on clay and what about her game makes the surface one of the Australian’s best.
A long wait but Skye Nicolson is ready
By Mary Konstantopoulos
Boxer Skye Nicolson qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Official Siren Collaborator Mary Konstantopoulos spoke to her about the very long wait to compete.
There’s still plenty of questions on concussion in women’s football and how the W-League will approach the health and wellbeing of players, Samantha Lewis writes.
There’s a new episode of Far Post to wrap your ears around.
Brittney Kleyn reports on the women running women-only workshops for bmx riders.
Mary Konstantopoulos spoke with Maddie Studdon about juggling work and sport, her resurgence on field and her hopes to get back to Origin footy.
Julia Montesano spoke with Tiana Mangakahia about the challenges she faced to get back on the court.
Kensington Junior Netball Club is looking for a home. Their plight reveals some of the gaps in resources for girls and women in sport.
Speaking of gaps, the Victorian Government will help fund a statue of a netballer in Melbourne. The news comes after a petition to recognise and honour our netball heroines from Netball Vic was launched on International Women’s Day. Huge congratulations to the team at Netball Vic for the hard work they’ve put in to make this happen.
In more netball news, catch up on all the highlights from round four of Suncorp Super Netball at Netball Scoop and check out the game changers from the round. And there’s a new episode of This Netty Life for your listening pleasure.
Snow Australia launched Women of Winter last week. You can catch up on their leadership webinar and hear from the likes of Kerri Pottharst hosting Alisa Camplin.
Did someone say test cricket?
This news was incredibly exciting to see!
You LOVE to see it!
Runner Up
When you spot your bestie!