Victoria’s Labor Government is amplifying the voices of inspiring and influential women to help level the playing field and drive change for women and girls in sport.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence has announced this year’s eight Change Our Game Ambassadors for the inaugural Ambassador Program.
This year’s Change Our Game Ambassadors are:
- Carol Cooke AM PLY
- Elle Steele PLY
- Gabby Seymour
- Jacara Egan
- Melissa Hale
- Molina Asthana
- Rana Hussain
- Rita Nehme
Well-known Indian-Australian lawyer Molina Asthana has broad-based commercial and litigation experience and localised expertise in mergers and acquisitions. She sits on the board of the Law Institute of Victoria and was the first South Asian woman to be elected President-Elect of the Law Institute of Victoria.
On her appointment as the 2023 Change Our Game Ambassador, Molina Asthana said:
“I am very excited to be appointed a Change Our Game Ambassador and I look forward to using this platform to champion for greater diversity in sport. Sport has great benefits for women, especially from diverse backgrounds; it provides confidence, strength of mind and body and can help to create a sense of belonging and community.”
Ms Asthana serves on various boards including Gymnastics Victoria, AFL South East Commission, Table Tennis Victoria, and Australasian Centre for Human Rights and Health. She is also the co-founder of the Asian Australian Alliance and the founder of the organisation Multicultural Women in Sport. She is also a member of the Sport Australia Sport Volunteer Coalition and a member of the Football Federation of Victoria Tribunal.
The government believes that these ambassadors will use their voice and network to champion equality for all women and girls in sports.
Further, these Ambassadors are expected to shed light on the issues that matter the most to them – from the accessibility of sports for women with a disability to more opportunities for First Nations and culturally diverse women in sport, and beyond.
Ros Spence, Minister for Community Sport, observed:
“These eight Ambassadors will be vital in advocating for equal opportunities for all women and girls. The gender equality in sport movement continues to accelerate and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”
Through speaking opportunities, educational events and digital content, the Program provides a platform to champion gender equality in sport and share a diverse range of lived experiences and perspective – from grassroots through to leadership roles.
Established in 2017, the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation was the first of its kind in Australia and delivers nation-leading policy, advocacy, research, and education in pursuit of gender equality.
