The Power of Her Awards

This award recognises an individual for championing gender equity during 2025 through their outstanding contribution to their organisation and the advancement of sport for women and girls.

Nathan has transformed opportunities for girls across the Eyre Peninsula, creating football and cricket pathways, where few existed. He removes barriers such as cost, and distance, he mentors emerging female coaches and advocates for equal access to resources and visibility.

His programs have boosted participation, supported pathways to SANFL, AFLW, and representative teams, and helped normalise girls’ involvement in traditionally male-dominated sports.

Through years of dedicated volunteer work across many sports, Nathan has built sustainable programs and empowered future female leaders, leaving a lasting impact on regional communities.

This award recognises a woman/girl 23 years or younger, for their contribution to the advancement of women and girls in sport and beyond in 2025, through contribution to their organisation as a coach, official, administrator, volunteer or developing leader and with the potential to make a leadership impact on the future.

Hayley has made an outstanding contribution to Surf Life Saving, creating opportunities and pathways for young girls in a traditionally male-dominated space.

As vice-captain at Seacliff Surf Life Saving club and a member of the futures board, she has championed initiatives like Women in Powercraft and Pink Patrol, whilst also volunteering over 300 patrol hours.

Hayley mentors 16 and 17 year-old girls at the Surf Life Saving SA Development camp, and her leadership and advocacy have significantly advanced the participation and development of young girls in Surf Life Saving.

Recognised as both South Australian and Australian young lifesaver of the year, Hayley continues to shape the next generation of female lifesavers and show that she is an emerging leader with strong potential to make a significant impact at state and national levels.

This award recognises a journalist, media personality or media organisation who has excelled in covering women in sport and highlighting their stories, and significantly contributing to greater visibility of South Australian Women in sport during 2025. 

As a sports reporter, William has used his platform to champion women’s sport, most notable through his groundbreaking coverage of the Adelaide Lightning at a critical moment in the club’s history.

By exclusively breaking the story of the Lightning’s fight for survival, William not only elevated women’s basketball into the mainstream media spotlight but helped spark a groundswell of public support that ultimately led to the team being saved. His reporting forced meaningful conversation, increased visibility across multiple media platforms, and ensured women’s basketball received the coverage and respect it deserves. And it hasn’t stopped there, William continues to tell stories that are centred on women and celebrate their achievements, bring broader momentum to women’s sport across South Australia.

This award recognises an organisation who has demonstrated contribution to fostering a more equitable partnership landscape for women in sport during 2025. 

In their very first year as principal partner of Netball South Australia and the Adelaide Thunderbirds, Adelaide University made a powerful statement about what partnership in women’s sport can look like.

Rather than focusing on traditional sponsorship, they centred their partnership on people, connection and community, reaching more than one million South Australians and using the Adelaide Thunderbirds athletes as positive role models to link education and elite women’s sport.

From championing first nations initiatives and regional netball, to supporting pathways from grassroots to elite competition, Adelaide University has helped create more inclusive, more equitable opportunities for women and girls right across the state. This partnership isn’t just about visibility, it’s about opening doors, breaking down barriers, and investing in the future of women.

This award recognises an organisation’s significant impact in removing barriers for women and girls to participate in sport during 2025 and high level of influence and reach of their achievements.

YMCA South Australia has set the standard for removing barriers and creating real opportunity for women and girls through sport and physical activity.

As the state’s largest provider of community sport and recreation services, they reach millions of South Australians each year, with women and girls at the centre of everything they do. From female led programs and women’s only spaces, to child minding, inclusive facilities and programs that support women at every life stage, they have made participation accessible, welcoming and empowering.

Just as importantly, YMCA South Australia leads by example. With a female majority workforce, women in leadership across every level, and a near zero gender pay gap, the organisation is reshaping what equity looks like in sport, not just for the participants, but for the workforce that supports them.

YMCA South Australia isn’t just delivering programs; it’s driving lasting change for women and girls across South Australia.

This award recognises a local metropolitan club’s significant contribution to the growth of sport and physical activity for women and girls through commitment to gender equality and advancement during 2025. 

The Brighton Cricket Club has set a new benchmark for how local clubs can grow women and girls’ participation in sport. In 2025, the club delivered inclusive, women-led pathways into cricket, from beginner programs and confidence sessions to south Australia’s first women-only SMASH competition, creating safe, welcoming opportunities for those new to the game.

Led by its first-ever female president, Brighton has embedded gender equality across leadership, coaching and future planning, with junior girls’ teams thriving and a standalone women’s team on the horizon. Brighton cricket club isn’t just growing the game; it is reshaping what inclusion looks like at the community level.

This award recognises a regional club’s significant contribution to the growth of sport and physical activity for women and girls through commitment to gender equality and advancement during 2025. 

South Augusta Football Club shows just how powerful local sport can be. In 2025, the club created more opportunities than ever for girls and women to get involved in footy, nearly doubling female participation and placing a strong focus on supporting indigenous and disadvantaged players. Through school partnerships, community outreach and the support of a Power of Her grant, South Augusta grew from two to four girls’ teams and built a safe, welcoming environment where young women could give footy a go and keep coming back.

With strong female leadership, committed coaches and a deep connection to culture and community, South Augusta Football Club isn’t just growing the game, its building confidence, belonging and opportunity for girls and women across the region.