Minerva Network confirmed today that it will partner with the Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia in supporting the nation’s returning Olympians by running a series of quarantine sessions that will facilitate their post-Games transition.
With Australia’s athletes facing an arduous 14-day hotel quarantine period upon their return from Tokyo 2020, the AOC, Paralympics Australia and Minerva are conscious of the fact that our athletes will be dealing with a range of different emotions . . . everything from the ecstasy of gold medal glory to deep personal disappointment . . . with appropriate mental and emotional support considered crucial for a successful transition.
The Minerva Masterclasses were announced by NSW Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors & Veterans, the Hon. Natalie Ward MLC, who gave the opening address to a highly successful webinar called Celebrating Women in Sport on Green & Gold Day on Friday 30 July.
“I was pleased to learn that the Minerva Network, in conjunction with the AOC and Paralympics Australia, will run a program of quarantine sessions for our Olympians and Paralympians on their return to Australia,” Minister Ward said.
“These will include sessions on Resetting Life Goals, Leveraging Support Networks and Building an Entrepreneurial Mindset.
“As we see the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sport in Australia, it is important we focus on maintaining positive momentum for women in sport.
“In 2021, the NSW Government invested $112.3 million in initiatives to support women and girls in sport.
“This funding included $150,000 for the Minerva Network to continue and expand the great work they do in providing mentoring, professional guidance and development opportunities for our elite athletes.
“The Minerva Network’s mentors are some of the most successful business leaders in Australia and we want to work with them to leverage this expertise to develop initiatives.”
Expanding on the Minerva Masterclass plan, Minerva Network Chairman and Co-Founder Christine McLoughlin AM said: “Our athletes will be dealing with the highs and lows of their Olympics and Paralympics experience and confined to a hotel room with their thoughts . . . so it is our intention to make this period in quarantine a valuable time in their lives to reflect on their achievements, deal with their emotions and look forward.”
The Minerva Network had planned to stage a live event at the home of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Stadium Australia, and in conjunction with a #Tokyo2020 Live Site in Sydney Olympic Park.
However, when COVID hit, the network moved to an online event, which attracted hundreds of participants.
Hosted by former Matildas star and media personality Amy Duggan, the webinar featured Sydney 2000 beach volleyball gold medalist Kerri Pottharst OAM, nine-times Paralympic gold medalist Louise Sauvage OAM, Olympic Rugby 7s gold medalist Alicia Lucas (nee Quirk), Olympic water polo medallist Jane Waldburger (nee Moran), champion Paralympics wheelchair racer Madi de Rozario, Olympic swimming medallist Daniel Kowalski OAM OLY, former NRL star Daryl Halligan and Kerry Turner, a former champion athlete and now Manager of Participation and Partnerships at the NSW Office of Sport.
The Celebrating Women In Sport on Green & Gold Day webinar was sponsored by Western Sydney University and co-hosted by the Minerva Network, Business Western Sydney, Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Sydney Olympic Park Business Association and Stadium Australia, in conjunction with VenuesLive and Venues NSW.
