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On the back of the Active Women in Sport Plan—the first of its kind in Australia, launched in 2020 and a central pillar of �����Ʊ’s 2025 Sport Strategy— and International Women’s Day coming up on March 8^th, the Lounge played host to an evening that not only celebrated achievement in women’s sport but also reflected on the University’s evolving commitment to closing the gender gap in sport across campus and the wider community. The event gathered female athletes, club members, and administrative leaders to mark the progress made over the past year, and to outline a clear vision for the future.

The crowd, composed of �����Ʊ’s dedicated athletes and sport administrators, was treated to a program that was both reflective and forward-thinking. Hayley Bullas, our �����Ʊ Sport elite athlete coordinator, made her debut as MC for the night. In her opening address, Bullas stressed the importance of increasing awareness and expanding current opportunities through new ideas and programs that foster inclusivity and engagement. Her remarks underscored �����Ʊ’s acknowledgement of the very real barriers faced by women, as well as minority and marginalised groups in sport, and highlighted the institution’s determination to implement practical programs to overcome these challenges.

Following Bullas, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education & Student Experience) took to the stage to review the progress of the Active Women in Sport Plan over the previous 12 months. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor noted tangible advancements, including an increase in sports scholarships such as the NSW Elite Basketball Scholarship, and the successful implementation of programs like the , facilitated by Arc Sport. These remarks set the stage for the awards segment of the evening, positioning the night as both a celebration of past achievements and a platform for future ambitions.

The first award of the night was the SHECAN Award, designed to recognise either an individual, club, or group that has significantly impacted women’s sport through the SHECAN program, or an individual whose personal engagement has led to sustained benefit and development. This year’s SHECAN Award was presented to Lydia Cheng. Since 2023, Lydia has not only led the weekly sessions as head coach of the �����Ʊ Basketball SHECAN program but also provided unwavering support to the participants, helping them develop their skills and nurturing a genuine passion for basketball. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving up attendance and participation rates at the sessions. In a brief yet meaningful reflection on her work, Lydia stated, "it's an incredible program we run with the basketball club allowing girls to participate in a sport that they love in such a safe environment." Her dedication was further affirmed by her unanimous election as the 2025 Female Engagement and Diversity Manager, a role that will allow her to build on her successes and expand the program’s reach in the coming year.

The next accolade of the evening, the First Year Star Award, was reserved for a first-year student who has made a significant contribution to women’s sport at �����Ʊ. Elouise Pelaez, also from the �����Ʊ Basketball Club, was selected for this award. Elouise’s achievements on the basketball court are multifaceted. She represented Australia at an international level, achieving a finals outcome, and played a key role in the inaugural University Basketball League (UBL) season. Her involvement extends beyond the court and the whistle. As a key participant in the 2024 Basketball NSW I AM A GIRL Program, she engaged in seminars with high-performing WNBL, Olympic, and college athletes to discuss the challenges and inequities women face in sport. Her contributions to the �����Ʊ Basketball Club have also been institutional; she was elected as the 2025 Treasurer. Elouise’s reflections on her experience with the club echoed the sentiments expressed by Lydia Cheng, emphasising the collective commitment of the �����Ʊ community to fostering a supportive and inclusive sporting environment.

The Outstanding Club Award of the night was presented to the �����Ʊ Hockey Club, recognising the club’s significant contribution and commitment to advancing sport for women and girls throughout 2024. The Hockey Club’s achievements over the past year have been marked by consistent growth and robust participation. With an all-time record of over 180 women competing across 11 teams in the winter competition, the club has set a benchmark for participation that has been sustained since its previous high in 2022. In 2024, the club achieved a record with nine out of its eleven women’s teams reaching the finals series. Four grades—ML2, ED1, ED2, and ED3—secured minor premierships. Furthermore, six teams reached the grand finals, with two finishing as runners up and four clinching premierships, including a notable clean sweep of the SEHA ED competition. The club also defended its title as the Sydney Women’s Hockey League club champion for the second consecutive year.

Beyond competition results, the club has focused on player development across all levels. The club’s programs have nurtured talent from beginners to state and international levels. Additionally, the Hockey Club has prioritised coaching and umpiring development, maintaining a robust pipeline of junior teams—over 70% of which are girls—and hosting two social mixed 7-a-side competitions during the off-season that consistently attract over 300 participants with balanced gender representation.

Next up we had a special announcement from Nazli Hocaoglu from Aces Security, alongside Sports Advisory Chair and Randwick Rugby Life Members representative Simon Poidevin, announcing new scholarship opportunities. Over the next five years, Aces Security will fund scholarships for women’s rugby players studying at �����Ʊ and representing the . This initiative further augments the range of scholarships available at �����Ʊ for women in sport and reflects the ongoing commitment to creating sustainable opportunities.

After the break, attendees were graced with an incredible Q&A session with Alex Blackwell—an iconic figure in Australian sport. As a former Australian cricket captain and the most capped player in Australian women’s cricket history, Blackwell’s experience spans 251 international matches over an 18-year career. Alex is also a strong LGBTQI+ advocate, proud �����Ʊ alumna, and a member of the �����Ʊ Sports Advisory Council. Her narrative during the session was notably candid. Reflecting on her early experiences in a male-dominated environment, she recalled, "we didnt even get our own uniforms, we basically had hand me downs from the men's grade teams."
Her comments extended to the broader challenges faced by women in sport, including the pervasive media focus on appearances over athletic achievements. Despite these hurdles, Blackwell expressed gratitude for remaining part of the �����Ʊ community, stressing that “events such as this serve as a reminder of the importance of women’s voices and the collective effort required to continue the journey towards equality”. 

The next award was Trailblazer Award which recognises individuals whose long-term contributions have systematically removed barriers for women and girls in sport. This year, the award was presented to Jennifer Avery from the Hockey Club. Jennifer’s involvement with the club dates back to 2010 when she began coaching the women’s ED2 and ED3 teams. Over the years, she transitioned to a focus on junior coaching at a time when the club lacked sufficient accredited coaches with the necessary experience. Her role in mentoring and selecting junior teams has had a lasting impact, with many young players advancing to state representative levels. Jennifer’s coaching credentials include multiple �����Ʊ junior Premiership wins, several victories at the Tamworth York Cup u11s, and success in the Coach Regional Challenge—a record of achievement that resonates with her belief saying “while there is still a journey ahead for women’s sport equality, each effort contributes to a gradual, positive change.”

The Champion Award was the final accolade of the evening, recognising a woman for her outstanding contributions in 2024, whether as a coach, official, administrator, leader, or volunteer, or for her commitment to expanding opportunities for women and girls. This year, Daisy Carter from the �����Ʊ Wests Water Polo Club was honoured with the Champion Award. Daisy’s long-standing association with �����Ʊ Wests began when she was just nine years old, and over 21 years, she has remained dedicated as a player, volunteer, coach, and leader. Currently, she serves as the captain of the �����Ʊ Wests Killer Whales in the Australia National League, a role she has upheld for several years. In 2024, Daisy also achieved the milestone of playing 50 National League games.

In addition to her on-field responsibilities, Daisy has embraced a key volunteer role as the Social Coordinator at �����Ʊ Wests, organising social events including the club’s well-known Luncheon. Her commitment extends to mentoring younger players; she volunteers to coach the U14 girls’ team and contributes to the U12 Junior Development Program. Reflecting on the club’s success, Daisy remarked, "winning the premiership trophy in 2018 after such a long drought was one of the best days of my life.. and my Dad says it was the best day of his."

As the evening drew to a close, Hayley Bullas returned to the stage to express her gratitude to all the women who contribute to �����Ʊ’s sporting community. She emphasised that nights like these are instrumental in providing the inspiration needed to drive further progress on the Active Women in Sport Plan. The gathering served as a measured yet thoughtful reminder of �����Ʊ’s ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive sporting environment—one where the voices and achievements of women are acknowledged, celebrated, and built upon.

As the community looks forward to the next phase of the Active Women in Sport Plan, the lessons and achievements of this evening will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of women’s sport at �����Ʊ. A massive thank you to all of our clubs, athletes, club members, and Arc Sport for everything you do that contributes to supporting women in sport at �����Ʊ and the greater community. 

Congratulations to all our nominees: 

Amelia Kaag

Annabelle Singh 

Ariel Fraser

Basketball Club

Charmaine Paul

Cheyenne Dicker

Chris Byrnes

Daisy Carter

Elouise Pelaez

Emily Harman

Emma Vey-Cox

Erin Keogh

Hayley Stanford

Hockey Club

Jennifer Avery

Layla Farook

Lydia Cheng

Monique Muskens

Nikki Collins

Pearl Galiere

Red Hahn

Rowing Club

Sarah Adams

�����Ʊ Raiders

�����Ʊ South Sydney Rabbitohs Touch Football Club

�����Ʊ Wests Water Polo Club