Women in sport big winners at networking event

Elite female athletes from QUT joined fellow athletes from Minerva in the networking event, facilitated by Minerva Network mentor and QUT alumnus Tracey McFarland.

The session was sponsored by QUT Sport, and hosted at the QUT Graduate School of Business, Gardens Point campus.

Head of the QUT Graduate School of Business and Minerva Network Queensland Co-Chapter Lead, Professor Sarah Kelly OAM, applauded the collaboration.

"The event demonstrates the strong alignment between elite sport and education performance, in addition to connecting athletes with real world industry leaders and valuable networks," Professor Kelly said. "This is a mission of both QUT and the Minerva Network.”

Students from the QUT Elite Athletes Program were in attendance, benefitting from the established network, and creating networks of their own.

QUT Sport Performance Lead Rian Crowther said the networking event demonstrated the aligned objectives of both partners, including the creation of educational and development opportunities for elite athletes.

“It’s a no-brainer that we would partner and bring our strategic visions to life," Mr Crowther said.

“Events and relationships like this contribute to our shared goal of minimising gender inequity in sporting leadership and across the many roles women play in the industry.”

The Minerva Network launched in 2016 and now leverages the mentorship and professional expertise of more than 330 businesswomen across Australia to support the careers of more than 700 of Australia’s finest athletes both on and off the field.

In Queensland, the network is co-led by QUT Chancellor Ann Sherry AO and Professor Kelly, while national co-founder, Sam Mostyn AO, made news this month when she was announced the next Governor-General of Australia.

Lead image: Workshop attendees engage in networking at the Minerva event.

QUT Media Contact:

Natassja Sharp, (07) 3138 1842, natassja.sharp@qut.edu.au

After hours: media@qut.edu.au