‘How To Not Be A D***head’: What Women In Sport Can Teach Men

Three female sports stars open up about ‘the moment they knew’ their lives had changed forever and what male sports stars can learn from women.

By Emily J. Brooks

Leaders

Three female sports stars open up about ‘the moment they knew’ their lives had changed forever and what male sports stars can learn from women.

By Emily J. Brooks

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On Friday morning, 100 women and men gathered around decorated tables in a decorated ballroom to listen to three decorated female sports stars open up about ‘the moment they knew’ their lives had changed forever. The event was held by Future Women and the ICC T20 World Cup in Sydney’s CBD; the sports stars were cricketer Alyssa Healy, Collingwood Magpies AFLW player and retired netballer Sharni Layton, and para-triathlon world champion Lauren Parker; and the answers we expected to receive are the answers sports stars are so good at giving. Vulnerable but guarded, scripted enough to seem off the cuff. The type of answers that appear to say so much, but upon second listen, say nothing at all.

They were not the answers we heard on Friday morning.

The T20 World Cup is aiming to break the 20-year attendance record for a women’s sporting fixture, by getting over 90,000 people to the MCG for the final in March. Purchase your tickets and support the movement here.

If you or someone you know is seeking support and information about mental health or suicide prevention, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.