Last Wednesday, the Minerva Network, in partnership with nib Group (nib), hosted an event focused on the critical importance of holistic health for women in high-performance sport. Key stakeholders, mentors, and industry leaders were invited to hear from an expert panel uncovering how better health support and representation of female athletes in sport can drive both personal and professional success. This great event was available to Minerva athletes and mentors nationally as a webinar.
At the heart of the discussion was addressing the unique health challenges women face in sport, in particular, body image, menstrual health, nutrition, and concussion management. As the sporting world continues to evolve, the importance of creating an inclusive environment that prioritises the health and wellbeing of female athletes is more important than ever.
As a key partner of the Minerva Network since 2022 and hosts of the event, nib’s Chief Executive Australian Health Insurance Ed Close, and Group Executive Legal & Chief Risk Officer, Ros Toms, said the health fund is thrilled to announce the extension of its partnership with the Minerva Network for a further two years.
“We’re proud to extend this fantastic partnership with Minerva as we continue to support female athletes in overcoming challenges and achieving greater success on and off the field", said Close. “Our partnership with the Minerva Network is a testament to nib’s long-standing commitment to promoting women’s health in sport. We recognise that empowering women to thrive in their careers, and preparing them for life after sport, is essential to achieving long-term equality in the industry" added Toms.
The event highlighted the positive outcomes of Minerva’s mentorship program, which is central to the organisation’s efforts to provide female athletes with the tools and resources they need to succeed on and off the field.
Victoria Momsen, Executive Director and CFO at Minerva Network, spoke to the significance of these partnerships in driving change within the sporting world. "Our collaboration with nib, along with the ongoing support of our partners, allows us to continue breaking down the barriers that have historically limited the representation and opportunities for women in sport,” said Momsen. “Together, we’re creating an environment where female athletes can excel, both in their sport and in their broader personal and professional journeys.”
A central theme of the event was the need to tackle health issues that are often underrepresented in women’s sport. A panel of esteemed athletes and experts shared their experiences and insights into the challenges women face, particularly around body image, female health and nutrition, and the impact of concussion on female athletes.
Danni Rowlands, Head of Prevention at the Butterfly Foundation, shared findings from the foundation's recent youth survey on body image, supported by nib Foundation, which revealed that 37% of young girls did not participate in physical activity or sport, most of the time, because of their body image. Rowlands highlighted the importance of fostering a "body kind" culture to retain youth in sport and ensure they feel empowered, regardless of their body shape or size. “The pressure that young girls face regarding their appearance is immense,” Rowlands said. “This pressure often leads to early dropout, body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in adolescents, but it’s not just about body image—this is about ensuring girls and women feel supported to have a positive experience with physical activity and/or sport at every age and stage in their life"
Sam Poolman, Minerva athlete, Aspire Netball founder and Wests Group director, discussed her personal experiences as a high-performance athlete and the importance of support from peers and industry. “There are so many positive impacts that come from removing body image pressures on athletes, particularly young women as they enter the professional pathway,” said Poolman. “Weight, and size can be in your face every single day, but as soon as the stigma around body image is removed, and education with resources is utilised, it’s amazing what positive impacts this can have for athletes on and off the court,” Poolman added.
Lizzie Welborn, long-time Minerva athlete, professional surf ironwoman and co-founder of KaMana Community emphasized the need for greater attention to body image issues and menstrual health. Having experienced the pressures of body image, Welborn discussed how this can impact female athletes in many ways such as disordered eating, menstrual health issues and unfortunately, female athletes leaving sport altogether. “It’s crucial that we provide a space where female athletes can be open about their struggles with body image and menstrual health changes,” Welborn explained. "This will help more female athletes reach their potential in sport."
The event also addressed the growing concern around concussion management and its differential impact on women. Dr Carlee Van Dyk, a Sport and Exercise Physician currently working with Collingwood AFLW, covered a number of critical topics aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of both the short- and long-term effects of concussion. “We’re certainly still learning about the full effects of concussion in women, but recent studies indicate that women are more susceptible to a higher burden of concussion symptoms, and a delayed recovery when compared to men” Van Dyk noted. “Improving education, prevention, and care in this area is essential to ensuring the long-term health of female athletes.”
The event reinforced that creating an environment where women’s health is prioritised is integral to advancing gender equality in sport. The ongoing support from nib and other partners has enabled Minerva to continue its mission to empower female athletes, support their mental and physical wellbeing, and help them achieve new heights in their careers.
As the partnership continues to grow, both Minerva and nib remain committed to breaking down the barriers that have historically hindered the representation and success of women in sport. By addressing the unique health challenges faced by female athletes and fostering a culture of inclusivity and support, Minerva is helping to pave the way for a more equitable and empowering future for women in high-performance sport.
Together we soar.
