On the eve of our Sisters in Sport Leadership Day in late February, I was driving home thinking about what I would say the next morning to welcome the 180 female students from 15 schools.
I spent some time reflecting on the transformative power of sport—how it has the ability to change lives, offering confidence, resilience, a sense of belonging and sisterhood. It teaches discipline, teamwork and perseverance—qualities that shape not just athletes but trailblazers in every field. Sport empowers women, giving us strength of body and mind to push beyond limits, set goals and support one another in triumph and in challenge. There was so much I could have talked about.
But then… during that drive home, I heard about the awful comments made by Marty Sheargold on Triple M. Among other things, Sheargold said that the Matildas ‘behave like Year 10 girls’.
I couldn’t believe it. How is this even allowed? How is it still acceptable to dismiss and diminish women in sport, as well as school students, with such careless, belittling remarks?
My mind immediately went to all the young girls in my world—the extraordinary young women who dedicate themselves to their sports. The ones who wake up before dawn to get their rowing boats on the water, who spend hours on the court or field, who practise relentlessly against a wall, refining their skills until they are better, faster, stronger. These girls are not just athletes, they are leaders in the making. They don’t just play sport—they commit to it, push themselves beyond limits and strive for excellence, just as any elite athlete does.
So, when someone with a public platform belittles the Matildas—arguably the most inspiring and accomplished team in Australian sport—it sends a damaging message. It tells young women that no matter how hard they work, how high they climb or how much they achieve, they will still be reduced to a stereotype; their efforts dismissed.
We need to drown out these voices by speaking out against misogyny every time we hear it. We must call it out for what it is: an attempt to undermine the strength, skill and legitimacy of women, not just in sport but everywhere, in every field, across every aspect of life.
Within one week, our Sisters in Sport Leadership Day was swiftly followed by International Women’s Day on 8 March. Both were powerful reminders that every time we push back against damaging gendered commentary or ‘jokes’ that disguise deeper, darker attitudes, we make it harder for misogyny to find a foothold.
Ascham, let your voices be heard.
By: Pascale Drever | Deputy Head of School
Image: Our Sisters in Sport Leadership Day graphic was created by guest illustrator Alice Edy, who live-illustrated while our guest speakers were on stage.
