Over 350 guests celebrate progress at the 6th Annual Women in Sport Brunch
Published Mon 30 Mar 2026
The 6th Annual Women in Sport Brunch, held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday 27 March in front of more than 350 guests, was both a celebration of women’s achievements in sport and a call to action to continue the fight for progress.
Hosted by Ali Clarke, the event began with a Welcome to Country from proud Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri, Nganguruku and Narungga woman Ella Taylor, and speeches by Adelaide University Sport and Fitness CEO Michelle Wilson and Sport SA CEO Leah Cassidy. Long-time event partner Sport SA pledged their continued support for the next four years.
A keynote address from Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia highlighted memories from her time with the Adelaide University Boat Club and her election as the first female captain in their 103-year history. Her Excellency spoke of the importance of sport not only in her life, but in the lives of all South Australians - including opening up the lawns of Government House for recreational activities.
Triple-sport athlete Chloe Dalton OAM took to the stage next, detailing her journey from watching Cathy Freeman at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games to her own gold medal at Rio 2016. She spoke of the importance of equal power, value and opportunity in sport and society, and her work founding The [Female] Athlete Project to highlight women’s sporting achievements.
With a jam-packed schedule, it was time to get up and about with Extend Studio leading the crowd through a fun stretch session.
A panel of South Australian elite female athletes spoke of their time competing - including the challenges they have faced, the highlights they have experienced, and how to offer opportunities and increase retention for girls currently playing sport.
Panellists Georgie Horjus (Adelaide Thunderbirds), Eloise Jones (Adelaide Crows) and Alice Sabine (AU Waatu) were especially popular among the many student attendees, who took the chance to take photos with their sporting heroes for an extended period after the event.
Throughout, insights about women’s participation in South Australian sport and fitness activities were shared by Glenn Findlay of Kinetica Group, and exciting new initiatives were shared by Fertility SA, Heart Foundation and Sport SA - all of which gave many in the room a lot to consider and discuss as they move forward.
The Women in Sport Brunch has steadily grown, with this year’s audience the largest yet as a record number of people pledge their commitment to continued progress.
Thank you to all of our guests for their participation, to all who attended the 6th Annual Women in Sport Brunch, to our partner Sport SA, sponsors Fertility SA and Heart Foundation, to exhibitors Belgravia Apparel and Adelaide University Fitness Hub, and to Adelaide University, the Adelaide Thunderbirds, and the Adelaide Crows.
DOWNLOAD INSIGHTS & INITIATIVES FROM THE EVENT
