Inspiring the Next Generation

Still riding the high of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023^TM, which captured the hearts of millions of Aussies, Seven Network’s AFL commentator and Premiership player Daisy Pearce sat down with Matilda and international football player Elise Kellond-Knight and former Olympic swimmer and current CEO of AFLW Nicole Livingstone to explore their inspiring journeys as change-makers in Australian sport.

Here are three key takeaways from their discussion:

Be an agent of change

Studying for a career in broadcast media didn’t feel possible when Pearce left school as she’d never seen another female do it. But a few years later, with AFLW success under her belt, the opportunity to work in broadcasting came up. Despite having zero experience and feeling overwhelmed with fear, she grabbed it with both hands, determined not to see another female hesitant about entering the industry simply because it hadn’t been done before.

Stand up for what you believe in

When forced to choose between earning a decent wage as a pharmacist or playing as a Matilda for a pittance, Kellond-Knight knew the system needed to change – so she helped change it.

The Matildas went on strike, which resulted in the team receiving proper contracts and being paid minimum wage. But what they really wanted was equal treatment with the Socceroos. Over the next four years, the team worked together, strategized and negotiated with the Football Australia Federation to achieve equity in prize money percentages – a landmark deal in women’s football. “That was eight years ago and now the team comes fourth at a World Cup – it’s all by design, there’s a reason the team performed so well,” she said.

Make your legacy bigger than you

Leaving the world a better place than she found it has always been Livingstone’s legacy goal. And she’s doing something about it; “We didn’t have an AFL Women’s League seven years ago – and it’s grown from eight inaugural teams to 18 teams today. Our goal is for every AFL club to have a women’s team.”

Watch the talk by Daisy Pearce, Elise Kellond-Knight and Nicole Livingstone here.