Vice-Chancellor and Cadel Evans launch women's race

Deakin is partnering with the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race to run the 2017 Deakin University Elite Women’s Road Race, being held in and around Geelong on 28 January.

Vice-Chancellor Jane den Hollander said Deakin was proud to partner with the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race because ‘sport is a universal language that engages people and brings them together in a way few other activities can manage’.

‘The Deakin University Elite Women’s Road Race strongly aligns with our aims of inspiring women to achieve at the highest possible level in whatever they choose to do,’ the VC said. 

Equality

‘We know from our research that girls continue to drop out of sport before boys. And when girls do go on to play sport at the elite level, they get paid less than males.

‘We also know that not only does sport offer benefits to health and fitness, it also improves emotional well-being and socialisation.

‘And watching women’s sport makes for excellent entertainment – so the flow-on benefits to the community are important also.’

Women in Sport

‘In many sports, elite female athletes have to balance a job with elite training to keep themselves afloat, whereas the men get paid to play and so 100% of their focus can be given to their training.

‘On the other hand, while we do want to see women paid as much as men, it really is great to see that commercial sporting organisations are taking a lead on the need for a cultural shift, firstly by creating opportunity – such as with the AFL women’s league.

‘The axiom ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ is as important in sport as it is elsewhere. This is why Deakin’s elite sporting partnerships and our Women in Sport and Exercise (WISE) hub initiative are so crucial in today’s sporting landscape. We want to be seen as leaders in this cultural shift and to help support and educate wherever we can.’

Deakin Women in Sport and Exercise (WISE) hub

The Deakin Women in Sport and Exercise (WISE) hub aims to make a difference through world-class research and strengthening relationships with communities and partners to improve women’s participation in sport and exercise across their lifespan.

Earlier this month, the WISE hub hosted a very successful Women in Sport and Exercise Week, celebrating the achievements of women in sport and individuals who are currently making a difference in women’s sport and exercise participation.

The event at Etihad Stadium engaged with approximately 130 school-aged students and over 100 Alumni and members of the community.

Read more about Deakin women currently competing and participating at the highest level in sport