Ballarat sportswomen building good sports

Keen to foster women’s sport, they accepted an offer by the Sportsmen’s Association of Australia Ballarat branch to form an associates division.

The six – Lorna Opie, Alice Andrews, Thora Blackbourn, Aileen Eyres, Marj Baker and Alma Henderson – hit some initial red tape because the SAA constitution did not allow female members.

However, an appeal to the national president to form their own unique branch was successful.

Forty years ago this week, that associates division was officially convened, with 19 foundation members enjoying a dinner at Craig’s Hotel for the princely sum of $3.50.

Three of those women – Mrs Henderson, Mrs Eyres and Mrs Opie – are still members, with the division now numbering 130.

Mrs Henderson, now 90, played in state cricket and softball sides and was a top level golfer and badminton player. She was installed as the inaugural president, with Mrs Baker as secretary.

“The aim of the club was to promote fellowship for sportswomen of Ballarat and district, to foster and promote sport generally and to assist worthy causes,” Mrs Henderson said.

“We each invited a friend and then they invited a friend and it grew from there.”

Today, the division still meets monthly, gives financial aid to promising young sportswomen and holds its annual awards.

Since 1975, 23 of Ballarat’s top female athletes have won the SAA Associates’ Sportswoman of the Year award in disciplines ranging from athletics, basketball and swimming to rowing, power lifting and Kyokushin karate.

Olympians including basketballers Robyn Maher and Allison Tranquilli, athlete Kathryn Mitchell, rower Emily Martin and equestrian Margaret McIver, along with paralympian athlete Jodie Willis-Roberts, have all received the prestigious award. 

However, swimmer Shayne Reese tops the leaderboard with five wins, in 2004 and from 2006 to 2009.

This week, Ms Reese said the support of the SAA Associates played a vital part in her career, which saw her win 4 x 100m relay gold at the Beijing Olympics, Commonwealth gold and two gold and one silver world championship medals.

“I’ve always known that they have been behind me,” she said.

“That group of ladies have always been so positive and supportive.”

Ms Reese said the associates were terrific at recognising and promoting women in sport.

“They’ve helped me out financially, but mostly it’s the recognition and support they give to a female athlete.”

Former Australian basketballer Allison Tranquilli, who now manages top-level basketballers and netballers, also said the associates played a big part in her career.

“Firstly, it’s the acknowledgement and the support of young female athletes. It’s not just the monetary support, but other venues of support too,” Ms Tranquilli said.

“They were really encouraging.”

Ms Tranquilli said winning the Sportswoman of the Year award in 1993 and 1995 (as Allison Cook) were real highlights.

“Even though I’m from Ballarat, I left to go further my career and I didn’t really ever return, but I always knew I still had their support,” she said.

Ms Tranquilli said it was also imperative such groups existed to foster women in sport.

“I’ve been to a few of their functions and to see the talent on display and the different emerging sports was incredible.

“Whether you are an elite athlete or not, they show you you can still be the best you can be and be a good role model for others.”

The branch also gives out a Sportsgirl of the Year award, with 35 winners since 1975, also including Ms Reese and Ms Maher.

Mrs Henderson and another former president, Mrs Eyres, nominated two of the most recent victors – tennis player Zoe Hives (2011) and racewalker Rachel Tallent (2008) – as among Ballarat’s most promising up-and-coming sportswomen.

“Zoe Hives is doing great things in tennis,” Mrs Henderson said.

Sporting administrators are also recognised with an award, with recipients including late basketball administrator Dawn Jose, Ballarat Netball Association president Jo Dash, athletics administrator Helen Rieniets and former lawn bowls secretary Val Savage.

Mrs Eyres said it recognised the work of sporting administrators that often went unheralded.

“We recognise what they do to sponsor and promote the sport,” Mrs Eyres said.

The Blackbourn Encouragement Award has only been presented since 1997 and recognises young talent.

Ms Hives and Ms Tallent are joined on this list by badminton player Tara Pilven, cyclist Emma Bilston and basketballer Abigail Wehrung, who was recently named in the Australian Gems under-19 side.

Twenty-year associates treasurer Margaret Williams said the award recognised potential.

“It’s for younger girls to give them some encouragement to keep going,” Mrs Williams said.

“Some of them are potential champions.”

Mrs Eyres said women’s sport was growing, but still lacked recognition compared to men’s sport.

“There’s a lot of specialised sport now and some strong team sports,” she said.

“But recognition-wise, women’s sport is always behind.

“We just try to promote it as much as we can.”