What’s on in 2024 – Women in Sport Breakfast

Women in Sport Breakfast brought to you by: Rowing Australia – Thursday, 21 March

Join us for an inspiring Women in Sport Breakfast on Thursday, 21 March from 8:00 – 9:30am at the Australian Rowing Championships (Sydney International Rowing Centre) where we celebrate the incredible achievements of women in sport. This event is an opportunity to hear from some of the most inspiring, driven and passionate women in the rowing industry, share experiences, and learn from each other. Our panel of speakers, will share their journeys to success and the challenges they have faced along the way. You’ll also have the chance to network with other women in the rowing/sport industry, enjoy a delicious breakfast, and leave feeling motivated and empowered. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a community that supports and uplifts women in sport!

 Guest speakers will include:

• Sarah Cook, Chief Executive Officer, Rowing Australia
  Dual International in Rowing and Sailing from 2004 to 2015, including competing at the 2008 & 2012 Olympics in Rowing.
  Lead Commentator for World Rowing global broadcast (Fox Sports Australia), Henley Royal Regatta (broadcast on YouTube & BT Sport UK).
  Currently working at Rowing Australia, and a Member of the Australian Government’s newly formed National Sports Tribunal. Other roles held include; , Chair of the Rowing Australia Coastal Rowing Working Group, Trustee of the Laurie Stepto Trust, Member of the Sydney University Blue & Gold Committee.

• Heather Garriock, Founder and CEO of Game Face Pro, Former Matilda
  Heather’s significant contributions to sport in Australia have spanned over two decades. Today she holds prominent executive leadership positions in sport, the media and currently the founder and CEO of Game Face Pro an Australian made high performance, organic sun protection brand made to perform. Garriock played as a midfielder during her career at Sydney 2000 and 2004 Athens Olympic Games as well as three FIFA Women’s World Cups(2003,2007 and 2011). In her career she won six domestic trophies in Australia, Denmark, and Sweden, and received the highest individual honour for a women’s footballer in Australia by taking out the Julie Dolan Medal in 2003. Off the field, Heather has been a major advocate for women’s football, including advocating for the first standard player contracts and after having her daughter while playing advocating for players to have maternity support whilst being a professional athlete. She a Board Director of Football Australia, Confederation of Australian Sport and Technical Committee Member for the Asian Football Confederation. In recognition of Heather’s achievements she received football’s highest accolade in 2022, induction into Football Australia’s Hall of Fame. A proud mother of three beautiful children.

• Nikki Ayers, Australian Paralympic Rower, World Champion 

  Nikki Ayers, an inspiring Para-rower and Intensive Care Nurse from Canberra, has made a significant impact in both her sport and profession. Nikki commenced Para-rowing in 2018 after a severe rugby injury, quickly finding success and representing Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Nikki has had an exceptional season in para-rowing and achieved her greatest feat at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade Serbia. She secured Australia’s only Gold Medal in the PR3 Mixed Doubles category, booking a spot for Paris and emerging as a strong contender for gold. Balancing her demanding nursing career with rigorous training, Nikki is a true embodiment of resilience, drawing motivation from overcoming adversity. As a panellist at the Women’s in Sport breakfast for #ARC24, she continues to inspire with her story of perseverance and determination, living by the motto, “Control what you can control.”

• Suzy Balogh OAM OLY, Director of Hitting Targets, Olympic & Commonwealth Shooting Gold Medallist

  Suzy Balogh OAM OLY is a female shooting trailblazer. The first Australian lady to win Olympic Gold for Shooting, first Australian Shooter to win on Olympic debut. Is the only female shotgun shooter to have won Commonwealth and Olympic Gold. Representing Australia in six disciplines of clay target shooting she has also won World, Oceania, and National titles. Alongside her sporting career Suzy worked for 12 years with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and the National Invasive Species CRC as an advisor, liaison, and training specialist. Suzy is a woman excelling in male dominated fields and empowers female shooters as a contributor to the Australian Women’s Shooter journal, mentoring coaches and sponsoring female shooter scholarships. Suzy has made her sport of clay target shooting her business for the past 15 years through her Team Building and Coaching company Hitting Targets. Coaching novices through to Olympians and everyday gets to introduce people to her sport – something she genuinely loves doing!

• Alexandra Viney, Australian Paralympic Rower
  Tasmania-born Alexandra Viney was a promising young rower throughout her high school years. At the age of 18, in 2010, Al survived a high-speed car accident caused by a drunk driver. The accident left her with lasting impairments to her left elbow, forearm and hand. Al was selected for the Australian Senior Para-Rowing Team in the PR3 Mixed Coxed four in February 2019. That May, she made her international debut at the Gavirate International Para Regatta, placing second in the PR3 four. She then placed fourth in the world at her first World Championships, in the bow of her selected boat class qualifying a place for Australia for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Outside of her training in pursuit of Paralympic selection, Al is studying for a Master of Business (sports management) and operates a small business. She hopes to continue to raise awareness around road safety, mental health, women in sport and opportunities for people with impairments.

This event is free for all to attend. Spots are limited – register now!

Bulk upload form can be found here