Sport
17 July, 2024
Women’s sport leading way
THE first steps are underway to set up Cairns as the leading destination for women’s sport in Australia.
Cairns regional councillors endorsed the centre for women’s sport at their meeting on Wednesday.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the female sporting landscape was evolving, and Cairns was “set to lead the way”,
“By leveraging our significant sporting infrastructure, the international airport, ample accommodation options, attractive climate and our geographical location, we can elevate the city into being the preeminent destination for women’s sport in Australia,” she said.
“While I was in Canberra last week meeting with ministers and government representatives, I had the chance to raise this vision.
“Their eyes got as big as dinner plates, and they started to sparkle because they could see the opportunity a strategic position like this brings.
“We talked about the economic benefits it could bring and the social benefits of having female faces is really important and something that most of us women haven’t grown up with.
“We also talked about how geographically we are perfectly positioned to harness this vision to really impact our neighbours in the Pacific, which is really so exciting.”
Cr Anna Middleton spoke passionately about the initiative.
“We know that women’s sport is inspiring, we know that it is full of talent, we know that the world is watching, we know that women’s sport is starting to cut its own space, and deservedly so,” she said.
“I think this is a great opportunity, not just with my heart but also with my head, that Cairns can lead this in Australia and get behind these great female athletes.”
Cr Cathy Zeiger said Cairns was “the place to do this”.
“We’ve got absolutely everything,” she said, such as the sports conditioning climate, a beautiful environment, partnerships, and infrastructure.
Cr Rhonda Coghlan said the timing was spot on. “Women … it’s our time,” she said.
Cr Trevor Tim said it would empower and inspire young women. “If they see it, they believe it,” he said.
The vision follows the council’s support of the AFLW Hawks holding one premiership game in Cairns over the next three years with a $150,000 contribution.
Five key pillars of partnerships, infrastructure, events, promotion and community activation will drive the vision.
