Four local businesses have collaborated to put on an event to help female high school students who are on the path to becoming elite athletes, understand how to leverage sponsorship to support their future careers.
The event will feature professional netballer, Sam Poolman, professional basketballer Katie Ebzery and professional soccer player, Amy Harrison, who will all talk about their experiences in individual and team sponsorship.
The idea for the event has been driven by Kylie Frearson of Property Solutions 101, who said she wanted to help bridge the financial gap between female and male incomes, for future generations.
“All evidence demonstrates that female athletes generally earn far less than their male counterparts, even when they reach the same levels of success,” Kylie said.
“So this means female elite athletes need to find other income streams until this disparity is removed, and sponsorship is a key way to do this.
“Unfortunately sponsorship education is not something that is focused on during the developmental years of our athletes, meaning they are behind by the time they reach elite level. Added to that, regional athletes are also going to be at a slight disadvantage, so we wanted to help our young, local female athletes get on the front foot.”
As soon as Kylie started speaking to other businesses they wanted to be involved, so the event is also supported by Crosbie Finance, Jenkins Legal Services and The Marketing GP.
“This has meant that we are able to pay our sports panel participants, something that was also important to us,” Kylie said.
“The timing of this event has been especially fortuitous after the social media outrage after the winners of the Ballito Pro junior tournament received different amounts – with the female winner Zoe Steyn receiving half the prize poll of the male winner Rio Waida.”
Sam Poolman said she is excited to help future local sports stars to start their career off right.
“Young girls who show sporting promise are provided with access to a lot of training and education around their sporting skills, but the truth is they also need to understand how to manage their career and their future income,” Sam said.
“All of the speakers on the panel know firsthand that they pursue a career of sport for the love of the game, not the financial reward. Although remuneration for female athletes has been increasing over the last few years it is still a much lower rate than our male counterparts, so ensuring we have team and individual sponsorships – and that we know how to manage and leverage them – is vital.”
When | Wednesday, 1 August 2018
Time | 5pm
Where | Harbourview Function Centre,150 Wharf Road, Newcastle
Cost | $5 per person*
RSVP | Facebook Event
All students under the age of 18, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
*All proceeds will be combined into a fund to be donated to a local female athlete. Details will be provided at the event.
IMAGE | Some of the event organisers – Holly Martin (The Marketing GP), Louise Williams (JenkinsLegal Services), Kylie Frearson (Property Solutions 101)
