PLA NSW/ACT are excited to partner with the AFL to host an International Women’s Day Morning Tea Event, themed ‘Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress’ to be held at the home of the AFL Giants and AFLW Centre of Excellence in Sydney Olympic Park.
Hear from several of Australia’s leading female athletes and administrators, including a panel session with speakers from the AFLW Giants, the Giants Netball, and from Golf Australia who will talk about their lived experience in women’s professional sport and critical factors in determining the successful development and inclusion of women within their environments.  Â
Following the panel session, attendees will enjoy morning tea and networking including a tour of the newly opened AFLW Giants Centre of Excellence, followed by the AFL Giants Captains Run on the ground ahead of the teams clash with Collingwood for opening round of the AFL season to conclude the event.
We are pleased to advise this is a child friendly event, and all attendees are welcome to bring their children to the event to hear from some of the pioneers and athletes in women’s elite sport today.
Thank you to our Event Sponsor:
Thank you to all those involved:
Agenda:
8:15am: Arrival
8:30am-10:00am: Breakfast and speaking program.
10:00am-10:30am: AFLW Giants Centre of Excellence Tour
10:30am: Captain’s Run
Speakers
A star of the AFLW competition, Parker boasts a powerful left foot, elite disposal, and incredible strength through congestion. Hailing from the town of Holbrook in Southern NSW, Parker was drafted ahead of the 2019 season before quickly establishing herself as a player to watch with a NAB AFLW Rising Star award nomination in her first game. That form saw her take out the GIANTS’ Rising Star award before taking her game to another level in her second season, resulting in an All Australian selection as well as winning the Gabrielle Trainor Medal as club champion. At just 21, Parker became the club’s first dual All Australian and dual winner of the Gabrielle Trainor Medal when she received both recognitions in 2021. Parker has continued her dominance ever since and has now claimed the club’s last four Best and Fairest awards.
Megan Carr is an accomplished professional with over 22years of experience in the sport and recreation industry. As Golf Australia’s Acting Head of Clubs and Facilities, she is responsible for the development and roll out of programs, resources and initiatives that help clubs become the best version of themselves that they can be. Prior to this role Megan held the position of National Women & Girls Operations Manager and was responsible for leading initiatives that promote gender equality, increase participation and create leadership opportunities for women and girls in golf.
Megan’s passion for planning, developing, delivering and evaluating participation pathways and development programs has driven her career. Her expertise in supporting the growth of strong and sustainable clubs that offer safe, inclusive and respectful environments has supported clubs across a range of sports.
Megan is also a Fellow of Goulburn Murray Community Leadership (previously Fairley Leadership). She is a dedicated professional who is passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion in sports, particularly in golf. She strongly believes in playing an active role in supporting future generations to participate in sports and is committed to leveraging her expertise to make a difference.
In addition to her role at Golf Australia, Megan serves as a Director with Sports Focus, a Regional Sports Assembly based in Bendigo, Vice President of Shepparton Golf Club and isa member of the Australian Sports Commission’s Sport Volunteer Coalition.
The former wing defence, who was given a chance at Super Netball as a wing attack, has been quick to not only cement herself as the starting wing attack with the GIANTS but is now regarded as one of the most consistent wing attacks in the league. Her defensive play is an obvious strength of her game given her history but the vice-captain is a strong and consistent performer, leading by example.