Athletics has long been a stage where women shattered records and redefined what is possible, and in recent years in Australia, it has been the nation’s women that have come out on top, paving the way for the golden era of the sport.
This International Women’s Day, the sport takes centre stage not just for its achievements but for its unwavering commitment to gender equality. With equal prize money, identical competition opportunities for women and men, and a strong push for greater representation beyond the track, Australian athletics has set a powerful precedent.
This year’s theme Accelerate Action serves as a rallying cry – to push further, to uplift more women in leadership, and to ensure that the sport continues to champion equality in every capacity.
Dreaming Big and Leading The Way: Kelsey-Lee Barber
Two-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist Kelsey-Lee Barber is one of the most decorated athletes in her sport and said the fight for gender equality in sport starts with visibility and advocacy.
“I think that if we keep being loud and keep pushing for what we want to see in women’s sport, that’s a wonderful place to start in the theme of International Women’s Day and striving for what we can do in sport,” Barber says.
Barber knows the importance of having role models. She grew up watching some of Australia’s greatest female athletes, who paved the way for her and many others – showing that if one can see a pathway ahead, dreams are much easier to achieve.
“I keep coming back to the fact that I had Dani [Stevens], Kim [Mickle], Kathryn [Mitchell] and Sally [Pearson] leading the way for track and field in Australia,” she reflects.
“They showed me that it was possible to achieve excellence on the world stage as a woman, and that has always been a point of reference for me.”
Now, as a global medallist herself, Barber is passing that inspiration forward.
“In terms of women in sport and seeing so many more women take to the world stage, I would just reiterate that you need to keep dreaming big.
Don’t diminish yourself and don’t take away from something that you believe you can achieve in sport or any space,” she says. “Have those dreams and let them turn into goals, and before youknow it you are striving towards something you could only imagine as a little girl.”
Representation and Role Models in Para Athletics: Rhiannon Clarke
Global medallist Rhiannon Clarke has seen firsthand how athletics fosters an environment of support and inclusivity, but she acknowledges that the impact of strong female leaders goes beyond personal ambition.
“I have seen a lot of change. Athletics is one of the oldest sports, and it’s amazing to see so many women who are leading the way for the next generation. Everything is about supporting each other – it’s a very equal sport,” she explains.
Role models are key, and Clarke credits some of the strongest women in para-athletics for shaping her career to date.
“Madison de Rozario is someone who always stands up for what she believes in, which is something that I’m trying to do,” she says.
“Vanessa Low is not afraid to speak her mind and I have really admired her in the years that I have known her. And Eliza Ault-Connell and Angie Ballard were the best roommates to have back in 2018.”
Rhiannon Clarke, the progress of women in athletics is evident, but there’s always room for more representation and leadership.
“I would definitely like to see more representation of women in the media and more women in leadership roles, being able to mentor the up-and-coming girls,” Clarke says. “It’s really cool to know that some younger athletes could be looking up to me like I did when I was coming through.”
Breaking Barriers in Officiating: Janet Nixon’s Story
Widely regarded as the best photo finish judge in the world, Janet Nixon has officiated at the highest levels, including the Olympics and World Championships. In a role traditionally dominated by men, Nixon has carved out her place through expertise, dedication and a passion for the sport.
With a background in engineering, she acknowledges that photo finish judging is a technical field that has historically attracted more men. But for Nixon, gender was never a barrier.
“There are no barriers anymore. You can do whatever you want,” she asserts. “I was the first international photo finish judge who was female, but that was a long time ago. Now, there are plenty of excellent female photo finish judges.”
She credits the support she received within Australian Athletics, singling out renowned International Technical Official and Australian Athletics’ Alumni Family Relations Manager Brian Roe, for her rise in officiating.
“I’ve felt supported throughout my time working both domestically and internationally. That makes a difference—whether you’re female or male, young or old, having people around you who believe in you is critical.”
Coaching the Next Generation: Cathy Walsh’s Perspective
Cathy Walsh, Australia’s Women’s 4x100m relay coach, was one of only a few female high-performance coaches for the sport on the Australian Olympic team last year.
For her, the experience was both an honour but also an opportunity to shift the landscape for women in coaching.
“I really take pride in guiding young women in their dreams and goals,” Walsh says. “It’s an honour to represent your country at any level, and I never take it for granted, but I never really looked at myself as ‘I’m a female’ in this role.
“I just felt like I was the best person for the role, whether I was male or female, and think more women need to know and believe those things about themselves.”
But she acknowledges that barriers exist.
“There are opportunities out there but we’re in a time still where women need to go and grab them,” she says. “You have to be willing to put in the work, start at the grassroots level, and build your way up.”
Leadership in Action: Jane Flemming on the Future of Gender Equality in Athletics
As President of Athletics Australia, Jane Flemming has seen firsthand the power of gender equity in athletics.
“One of the awesome things about athletics is that when you look back over the last 30 years, the really big names in our sport have been female,” Flemming says.
“From Raylene Boyle to Sally Pearson and now Nina Kennedy, women in Australian athletics have led the way.”
She believes the sport’s structure—where men and women train and compete together—has played a critical role in retaining female athletes.
“Athletics is one of the only sports where boys and girls, men and women, young and old, all train together,” she explains. “That creates an environment of mutual respect and inclusivity.”
But while the sport has made significant strides, Flemming knows there is always more to do.
“We’ve implemented programs to increase the number of female coaches, ensure gender balance on teams, and support women in leadership roles,” she says. “But International Women’s Day reminds us that we cannot be complacent. We must keep pushing forward.”
The Road Ahead: Accelerating Action for Women in Athletics
Australian Athletics continues to drive change through initiatives aimed at increasing female representation in coaching, officiating, and leadership roles. The push for gender equity isn’t just about participation—it’s about ensuring women have the opportunity to thrive at every level of the sport.
As the governing body, Athletics Australia is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where women are empowered to lead, compete, and inspire the next generation.
On International Women’s Day, the message is clear: The challenge is not just to celebrate progress, but to accelerate it. The future of athletics is not just equal, it’s limitless.
By Sascha Ryner, Australian Athletics
Posted: 8/3/2025
