Minerva South Australia recently attended a reception hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia. The event brought together members of the Minerva Network, women athletes, mentors, legends, and business leaders to celebrate the launch and growth of Minerva's South Australian chapter.
Since 2017, the Minerva Network has connected Australia's professional sportswomen with senior business leaders for mentorship and professional development. This initiative has helped more than 1,100 women athletes across 86 sports build skills, confidence, and networks for careers beyond sport. The South Australian chapter, launched in September 2025, represents an important milestone in bringing this support to athletes across the state.
Minerva Network Co-Founder and Chairman Christine McLoughlin AM spoke about the organisation's remarkable growth and the specific journey to establishing a South Australian presence. Christine acknowledged that a conversation with Bronwyn Klei, CEO of Netball South Australia, during the 2024 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final sparked the beginning of the SA chapter. "Bronwyn told me that the interstate netballers she was trying to attract to South Australia wanted to know that there was a Minerva Network here to support them off the field. Well, we are here now with incredible momentum," Christine said.
The event highlighted 2026 as an extraordinary year for women's sport in Australia. Christine noted Australia's most successful Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the historic AFC Women's Asian Cup, and the launch of Suncorp Super Netball season, building momentum toward Australia hosting the Netball World Cup in 2027. The calendar ahead includes the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, Women's State of Origin, and domestic competitions including AFLW, NRLW, A-League Women, WNBL, and WBBL.
Christine emphasised that this calendar represents more than high performance sport. "This isn't just about high performance sport – it's about creating visibility, inspiring participation, and building sustainable careers for women athletes who are incredible role models in our community."
A key focus of the reception was recognising South Australian athletes within the Minerva Network. Christine highlighted Adelaide-born netballer Maddy Proud, who became the youngest player ever signed to a professional netball team at just 16 with the Adelaide Thunderbirds. Maddy, who has been part of Minerva since 2018, spoke powerfully about the network's impact: "Opening people's minds to the challenges we have. And opening doors, creating opportunities, combining allegiances between business and sport. Helping us put women's sport on the map and into other businesses outside of sport."
The Athlete Leadership Group also includes athletes with strong South Australian roots, including Kiana Elliot, an Olympic weightlifter now based in Adelaide through the South Australian Sports Institute, and Tallisha Harden, a leading NRLW athlete born and developed in Adelaide.
Christine recognised the crucial leadership of Nicolle Rantanen-Reynolds, who leads the SA State Chapter on a pro bono basis, supported by Janelle Cuthbertson, a former athlete herself. She thanked The Honourable Katrine Hildyard MP, Minister for Women, and The Honourable Rhiannon Pearce MP, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, for backing Minerva to deliver for South Australia.
Since launching in September 2025, Minerva South Australia has moved quickly to build a strong foundation. Janelle Cuthbertson joined as Program Manager, bringing her experience as a former athlete who captained the Port Adelaide AFLW team and her own journey as a Minerva athlete. Janelle has been meeting with sporting organisations across the state and connecting with existing athletes and mentors in the program, sharing her knowledge and building relationships across the network.
The chapter has already welcomed new athletes and established fresh mentor-mentee relationships. In recent months, Minerva SA hosted a networking event with Golf Australia, bringing together mentors and athletes in a relaxed setting. During Gather Round, mentors and athletes were active in connecting with other female sporting organisations across South Australia, strengthening the ecosystem of support for women in sport.
With the depth of sporting talent in South Australia, the chapter is experiencing strong growth in athlete numbers. Learning workshops are scheduled for later in 2026, building on the momentum and sense of connection among this community of like-minded women committed to opening doors for the next generation.
“The room carried a warm, purposeful energy, filled with people driven to achieve something remarkable,” Lily Shen – Minerva Mentor and Client Director at Aurecon.
Louise Marsh, Managing Director of Corporate Conversations and Minerva Mentor Kathryn Presser AM commented on the contagious energy within the room and the momentum that the Minerva Network is gaining in South Australia: "Being surrounded by a community of like minded individuals and inspiring high performing female athletes as we continue to push boundaries and elevate each other".
Australian Olympian and Adelaide’s own Kiana Elliott said, "It was great to see Her Excellency’s continued championing of the Minerva Network in South Australia, recognising the powerful complement of elite businesswomen with high performance female athletes for the betterment of business and sport alike. South Australia’s corporate world should be jumping at the chance to get behind Minerva to capitalise on what is a forward thinking opportunity for both athletes and for business".
As women's sport continues to grow, the Minerva Network remains committed to ensuring women athletes receive the recognition, support, and opportunities they deserve. The reception was both a celebration of South Australia's progress and a call to action for greater engagement in initiatives that connect sport and business.
Her Excellency's support for the Minerva Network and its mission to empower women to succeed beyond sport was evident throughout the evening. The Minerva Network thanks Her Excellency and all those who contribute to building pathways for South Australia's exceptional sportswomen.
