Rarely has there been a time in history when our lives have been so disrupted. In the age of COVID, the struggle is real, but Australia’s sportswomen provided inspiration: role models of adaptability, resilience and determination.
And Minerva has been there for our athletes all the way, our journey began four years ago: like-minded business leaders in casual conversation with a small group of elite athletes, sharing tea and pizza, as well as our dreams.
How could we help our elite women in sport maximise their opportunities and realise their potential? As athletes and leaders in our communities.
The growth of our movement has been extraordinary, and 2021 was a year of momentum for Minerva.
Minerva thanks the VenuesLive team, Arthur Stanley and Emma Rothfield, for creating this beautiful summary of a challenging period and Minerva's journey so far.
Transcript:
THEY say tough times have a scientific value. These are the occasions a good learner would not miss . . . so haven’t we had the chance to learn plenty over the past two years.
Rarely has there been a time in history when our lives have been so disrupted.
And what of our athletes in the age of COVID;
- Some elite competitions stopped for the best part of two seasons.
- Forced to contend with uncertainty and fear in the build-up and duration of the Tokyo Olympic & Paralympic Games;
- And the personal sacrifice of frequent quarantine and isolation , just to enable them to get onto the field , and separated from family and friends as they travelled in “bubbles “ to enable competition during Covid
It seemed every day was a new hurdle on the road to Olympic & Paralympic glory as well as our national and international competitions .
The struggle was real, but Australia’s sportswomen provided inspiration, role models of adaptability, resilience and gritty determination.
And Minerva has been there for our athletes all the way, welcoming new athletes to our network every week - and now a new generation sets their sights on future goals
Our journey began four years ago, like-minded business leaders in focused conversation with a small group of elite athletes, sharing tea and pizza, as well as our dreams.
How could we help our elite women in sport maximise their opportunities and realise their potential? As athletes and leaders in our communities. These athletes became our first Minerva Stars – now all Minerva Athletes
Better performance on and off the field Corporate and national recognition. A force for positive change.
The growth of our movement has been extraordinary, and 2021 was a year of momentum for Minerva. Rather than hibernating during the Covid pandemic we thrived
The dynamic combination of outstanding business women sharing their experience and time with extraordinary sportswomen has been so powerful, we now have an unstoppable momentum – this is a journey that is a joy to be on. And our Mentors who are leaders in their own field do this on a pro bono basis – as we each believe in these leaders of the future
Our goal today is to provide support for 1000 elite sportswomen by 2025.
And we are grateful that our work is being recognised. Our athletes and their mentors, recognised and rewarded with an Official Reception at Government House Sydney, and during the week in which the nation and the world celebrated International Women’s Day.
The NSW Government extended its strategic partnership, allowing our stars of women’s sport to inspire a new generation of athletes.
And now we also have support from the Queensland Government through the Queensland Academy of Sport
We now have thriving State Chapters in NSW, Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria and the ACT and we are supporting athletes in the other states.
The Minerva Scholarship Program has handed out scholarships to the shooting stars of women’s sport . . . enabling our athletes to better balance their academic studies and sporting endeavours.
Our Foundation Partners and government supporters have become entwined in our day-to-day business goals and activities . . .
And our corporate support continues to grow . . . making a difference in helping Australian sportswomen fly.
So as we gear up for the challenges of 2022:
- Know that we are ready;
- It’s true that difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations;
- And besides . . . the next generation of Minerva stars is counting on us!
Voice over: Christine McLoughlin AM, Minerva Network Chairman, and Sam Mostyn AO, Minerva Network Board Director.
The Minerva Network extends our thanks to the following organisations for their support:
Accenture
Aurecon
Enigma
VenuesLive
Norton Rose Fulbright
MOGGS Accounting & Advisory
Avril Henry & Associates
Sydney Roosters & Easts Group
Newcastle Knights
Torrens University
Business Western Sydney
NSW Government
Office of Sport NSW
Sydney Olympic Park Authority
Queensland Government
Queensland Academy of Sport
Australian Olympic Committee
Australian Institute of Sport
Paralympics Australia
GIO Insurance
Sport Integrity Australia
