Records smashed & massive firsts: An epic few days for women's sport
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News & Views

Records smashed & massive firsts: Last few days have changed women’s sport forever

by Angela Priestley |

women's sport
It’s been a ripper weekend for Australian sportswomen domestically and internationally, with records broken and moments created that we’ll remember for a very long time to come.

So while some of us in NSW settle back in after the long weekend, we wanted to share some of the highlights of the epic weekend that was. A weekend that will go down in history as one that brought women’s participation in different sports well into some very-much deserved limelight.

On Monday night in cricket, Australia sealed a T20 series win over New Zealand in Brisbane for the first time in almost seven years, following their triumph against the Silver Ferns the previous night in Sydney. Alyssa Healy and Elyse Villani proved invaluable, scoring half centuries each to help the Southern Stars clinch the victory with seven balls to spare.

And in further proof that we absolutely do want to watch women’s sport, the coverage of Saturday’s match on Channel Seven broke the record for the largest audience ever to watch women’s cricket in Australia, reaching close to three million viewers nationally across the full broadcast.

Early Monday morning, the Opals put up a valiant effort against the USA in the Basketball World Cup Final in Spain. They were defeated 73 to 55, having made the final for the first time since 2006. Australian superstar Liz Cambage was named one of FIBA’s  All-star Five.

The tournament was a hugely successful one for Australia, and Cambage particularly, who scored more than 20 points in every game — other than the final, when she was largely restricted by Team USA.

Lauren Jackson described Cambage as “completely unstoppable”. Earlier this year Cambage broke the WNBA record to score an amazing 53 points in one game.

On Sunday, the Brisbane Broncos were crowned the inaugural NRLW champions, beating the Sydney Roosters 31-12 in Sydney. “From the moment this team came together as a group it had that special feeling,” their coach Paul Dyer said post game. “They went out there and did what they have done for the last three weeks. They executed their plays, had moments where they were a bit poor but as a general rule they were very good.”

Broncos captain and halfback Ali Brigginshaw described it as a “team effort” built on commitment and courage. She became the first woman ever to collect the NRL Women’s Premiership Trophy at ANZ Stadium, and later embraced her partner Kate Daly in the stands, in an image that was captured by photographers and shared internationally. Ali said Kate and her family are the reason she trains so hard. “Also, little girls might grow up to love the same sex, and I want them to see they don’t need to be ashamed of it. I walk around the street holding Kate’s hand because I’m not ashamed of it,” she said.

And Jessica Fox has just become the most successful female paddler in history — surpassing her mother (and coach) Miriam Fox’s previous record in the process – after winning her eighth individual title at the canoe slalom world championships.

“I think I created my luck as well. I have worked hard and I push myself every day so to have this as a reward is the icing on the cake,” she said after winning the C1 title, following her K1 title win earlier on in the day.

“She’s my inspiration and she’s been amazing on this journey as has dad, my sister, my whole family and all my friends back home,” Jessica Fox said about her mother.

Meanwhile, here’s a bonus one from a Brazilian athlete we thought absolutely needs a mention. Maya Gabeira has received the record for the biggest wave ever surfed by a woman. It was… almost 21 metres.

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