Changing attitudes towards women and sport

Tuesday December 6 Media release by Rosemary Cadden

When teenager Kelly Dixon, who became the youngest Australian to win the English Channel in July this year, receives one of the Women's Suffrage Certificates of Merit today for her outstanding achievement, it will be a graphic symbol of how attitudes towards women and sport have changed over the past century.

The same can be said for six South Australian women rowers who are also among the recipients at the ceremony in the Adelaide Town Hall this evening.

Beach swimming was not an option for women 100 years ago. Segregated bathing was stipulated by law, but women's swimming clubs were flourishing by the turn of the century.

There was also an Adelaide Women's Rowing Club but, once again, attitudes were very different then, when the sport was deemed suitable for women - provided they did not train or take it too seriously.

A total of 145 Certificates of Merit will be awarded to South Australian women who have made a significant achievement during the Women's Suffrage Centenary.

The categories are: winner of a senior individual national title; winner of a senior team national title; the captain/vice captain/coach of a senior Australian team; selected in a senior national team; outstanding individual achievement in a recreational activity; and outstanding group achievement in a recreational activity.

The event is one of many organised during this year by the Women's Suffrage Centenary Recreation and Sport Task Force to stimulate sporting activities.

Among those to receive awards are:

• Karen Kah (speedskating)

• Linda Lehman (canoeing)

• Kathy Sambell (athletics)

• Creina Dawson (croquet)

• Michelle Fielke (netball)

• Gillian Rolton (equestrienne)

• Robyn Weckert (weightlifting)

• Rae Harris (orienteering)

• members of the successful Australian women's hockey team at the recent World Championships in Ireland

• members of the Australian women's basketball team which won a Silver Medal in World Basketball Championships in Athens in July for players with an intellectual disability.