On the eve of International Women’s Day 2024 and as we approach the 6th anniversary of the launch of the Minerva Network, foundation partner Aurecon has hosted our partners and mentors, marking a milestone in our journey towards gender equality and recognition in the sporting world as we prepare to shoot for new heights!
The event not only showcased Minerva’s stunning new brand imagery but also provided a platform for insightful discussions, inspiring interviews and networking opportunities, leaving a sense of excitement about the year ahead.
The energy and eloquence of MC Maddy Proud, Sydney Swifts netballer (one of our inaugural Minerva Athletes) and passionate advocate for women in sport, set the perfect pace and tone for the occasion.
The new brand imagery, showcasing our signature Minerva wings and created by Enigma with input from many our Minerva Athletes, signals a fresh chapter in Minerva’s mission to empower and uplift women athletes.
Minerva Network Chairman Christine McLoughlin AM said: “What makes our partnership relationships unique is that our partners also get involved in our mentoring program. Each of Aurecon, Accenture, nib Health Funds and SEC Newgate have senior leaders mentoring professional Minerva Athletes, some of whom are heading off to Paris for their first Olympics and Paralympics this year. We are thrilled that our partners are as enthusiastic about 2024 as we are!”
During 2023 Accenture additionally supported us in redesigning our technology infrastructure; Aurecon leaned into building out our Queensland footprint as well as hosting many events across Australia; nib Health Funds has launched our new career pathways program, growing our support of Richmond AFLW and Newcastle Knights NRLW athletes, with a planned Holistic Health for Women in High Performance Sport webinar later this year; SEC Newgate has helped us define our national strategy and kicked off our Parliamentary Friends of Women in Sport.
Christine added: “The team at brand agency Enigma, under the leadership of the brilliant Lisa Sutton-Gardner, have given heart and soul to build our beautiful brand. The many Minerva Athletes who have helped bring the brand to life with their ideas is another example of impactful teamwork.”
Christine also acknowledged many key supporters, saying: “We have so many volunteers at the Minerva Network and we could not have achieved what we have without our volunteers.”
The reception also featured exclusive interviews with some of Australia’s most inspiring athletes – Bronte Campbell OAM OLY, Jessica Fox OAM OLY, Rachael Gunn, and Madi de Rozario OAM PLY.
Three-time Olympian Bronte Campbell OAM OLY is in training to win a place on Australia’s Olympic swim team to compete in Paris 2024. Bronte, who is mentored by Christine McLoughlin AM, acknowledged the support of her core network and the importance of “enjoying the ups and downs of the journey”.
Jessica Fox OAM OLY, our most decorated canoe slalom athlete of all time, will make history as the first Australian canoe slalom athlete to compete at four Olympic Games. Jessica, a Minerva athlete since 2020, gave us an insight into her build-up to the Games: “The mental preparation is just as important as the physical preparation. Focus on the process, visualisation, and minimise distractions.”
Dual Paralympic gold medallist and three-time world champion Madi de Rozario, who is mentored by Sam Mostyn AO, also offered some great insights into her preparation for the Paris 2024 Games and how this differs compared to previous Paralympics. Incredibly, Madi will compete in three separate Marathons leading into Paris 2024.
A highlight of the event was the appearance of Dr Rachael Gunn, who will become Australia’s first Olympian in the highly competitive dance sport of Breaking.
Rachael, better known as ‘Raygun’, is a lecturer at Sydney’s Macquarie University with a PhD in cultural studies. She has qualified for Paris 2024 along with 16-year-old male competitor Jeff Dunne, otherwise known as ‘J-Attack’.
“Not in my wildest dreams did I expect to be representing Australia at an Olympic Games when I first started in the sport 13 years ago, but we’ll be ready to go in Paris and I’m confident people are going to love what they see,” she told us.
Through engaging conversations, inspirational stories, and a commitment to driving meaningful change, the event reaffirmed Minerva’s position as a driving force for positive transformation within the sporting landscape . As the journey towards equality continues, Minerva stands poised to lead the way, empowering women athletes to reach new heights of success and representation on the global stage.
