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Minerva Network is proud to announce that Australian retail icon Harvey Norman is joining as an official partner. Harvey Norman is renowned for its support for sport and athletes at every level in Australia for over 30 years.
Sport is synonymous with Australian culture and together, the Minerva Network and Harvey Norman partnership will continue to provide vital support and resources to elevate professional women athletes to succeed on and off the field and as future leaders in Australian communities. The Minerva Network was founded in 2016 by leading Australian business women to support professional women athletes “off the field” and is now Australia’s leading pro bono mentor organisation of women in professional sport. Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page said, “The Minerva Network and Harvey Norman in partnership makes complete sense. Harvey Norman has been pioneering in its commitment to creating competition pathways for Australian girls and women from the grassroots through to the elite level. For over 20 years our ethos has been every Australian girl should be able to compete in her choice of sport at whatever level her ambition and talent will facilitate. Harvey Norman has been investing and advocating for Australian women’s sport from the start – originally with the NRL, the AFL, motorsport, Para-sport, more recently surfing and basketball.
“Fulsome sporting careers for Australian women are now possible and thanks to the Minerva Network our fabulous athletes are mentored where their talents and interests will be best served once their competitive career has concluded. “Australia is vast, and our talent comes from every corner, so I am particularly passionate about the work the Minerva Network is doing in rural and regional areas. As our athletes change career path, we want their unique skills to benefit those within their community. Athletic careers often take individuals far from home for long periods from a young age. Harvey Norman operates in over 110 rural and regional Australian towns and centres. We want all our athletes to have the choice of both what they pursue as their next career and where they want to live. Every town in Australia deserves to benefit from the ongoing contribution these brilliant women will make across their lifetime.”
Minerva Network Chairman and Co-Founder Christine McLoughlin AM said, “We are thrilled to welcome Harvey Norman as our newest partner in our journey to empower professional women in sport. Our two organisations each have an unwavering commitment to diversity and believe that together we can drive more meaningful change and create a more inclusive sporting landscape for generations to come.”
Harvey Norman has also been a great supporter of Australian women’s teams and athletes including some of the incredible Minerva Athletes including role models like Paralympians – Madi de Rozario OAM, Katja Dedekind, Paige Greco; Olympians – Cate Campbell, Jessica Fox, Dominique Du Toit; AFLW – Chloe Dalton OAM, Breeana Koenen, Lauren Spark; NRLW – Emma Tonegato, Ali Brigginshaw, Kezie Apps, and WNBL – Lauren Nicholson, Stephanie Reid and Courtney Woods. The Minerva Network now has more than 750 professional women athletes representing 76 sports engaged in its programs which include pathways after their sporting careers. The Minerva Network has over 350 leading business and professional women who volunteer their time as mentors and in driving improvements in sports governance. All Minerva Mentors are also incredible role models across Australia.
Queensland Maroons and Brisbane Broncos NRLW Captain Ali Brigginshaw said, “It is really pleasing for me to see the Minerva Network and Harvey Norman joining forces.
“I have been involved in the Minerva Network mentorship program for a number of years and have seen first-hand the benefits for female athletes looking at networking, employment and commercial opportunities outside of their chosen sports.
“Harvey Norman have also shown over a long period of time how passionate and dedicated they are to ensuring increased opportunities for female athletes in Australia, so their collaboration is a perfect fit.
“Christine McLoughlin and Katie Page are two powerhouses we all look up to…it is exciting for all of us to know that further change and progress is coming under their leadership.”
Four-time Paralympian Madi de Rozario OAM PLY said, “Harvey Norman and the Minerva Network have been unwavering pillars of support throughout my journey in sports. Their alignment of values and purpose has not only provided me with the resources and opportunities to excel but has also empowered me to break barriers and redefine what’s possible for women in sports.”
Speaking about the impact Minerva has had on her career, Madi added, “Turning us into incredibly multifaceted humans and being able to tap into every aspect of who we are, it’s incredibly important. What women athletes are doing right now, it’s completely changing the game. I am allowed to use my voice and take the space which requires massive support from behind the scenes and that is what my Mentor and the Minerva Network does for me.”
Through this partnership, Minerva Network and Harvey Norman invite athletes, mentors and supporters alike to join us in celebrating women’s achievements in sport and fostering an environment of equality, respect and opportunity for all.
Together we soar!
Minerva is a not-for-profit organisation.
