Season 2 of Super W has arrived!

Published on: February 7, 2019February 11, 2019 by Mary

This article was first written and published by The Roar.

Rugby Australia launched season two of the Super W competition in this week and I continue to be pleased with the increased focus and attention that Rugby Australia is giving to the women’s XV version of the game.

This has not always been the case. In 2017, I wrote an article criticising Rugby Australia and questioning whether they were committed to success in the women’s XV format.

When I wrote that article, the Australian Wallaroos (Australia’s women’s XV team) were in Ireland competing in the World Cup with their total preparation including one Tri-Nations tournament earlier that year and a team camp prior to departure.

Wallabies and Wallaroos in a Bledisloe double header

Published on: September 1, 2018 by Mary

This story was first written and published for The Roar.

My dad has tickets for the Bledisloe Cup tomorrow night at ANZ Stadium.

When he looked at the event information he noticed though that there wasn’t just one game of rugby happening, but two. He then called me to ask whether he should go to ANZ Stadium early to watch the Australian Wallaroos in their first game in a two-Test series against the Black Ferns.

My response to him was ‘absolutely’.

Women’s World Cups part of strategic bidding plan

Published on: July 27, 2018 by Mary

This article was first written and published for The Roar.

This week the New South Wales government signalled its intention to be a heavy hitter in the sporting event space over the next ten years with a strategic decision announced on Monday to bid for ten world cups in the next ten years.

When it comes to women’s sport, I always say it is important to celebrate how far we have come, while continuing to strive to be better because we still have a very long way to go.

Mary’s Wonder Women: Big news for the Wallaroos and Super Netball returns

Published on: April 27, 2018 by Mary

This article was first written for and published by The Roar.

After an exceptionally long off-season, due to the Commonwealth Games, Super Netball finally returns this weekend, with a series of matches across the country.

In Sydney, things begin on Sunday with a double-header at Qudos Bank Arena with a grand final rematch between the Giants and Sunshine Coast Lightning, then the Sydney Swifts will play the Queensland Firebirds.

Mary’s Wonder Women: Super W grand final – tonight!

Published on: April 20, 2018 by Mary

This article was first written for and published for The Roar.

Tonight, the inaugural season of the Super W comes to a conclusion, when the New South Wales Waratahs take on the Queensland Reds at Allianz Stadium from 4:45pm.

The two most dominant teams have made it to the final, with NSW and Queensland finishing first and second on the ladder.

The Waratahs are thus far undefeated, while the Reds have only lost one game – their first game against the Tahs, 18-0, at Suncorp Stadium.

Mary’s Wonder Women: Sport Presses for Progress

Published on: March 11, 2018 by Mary

This article was first written for and published by The Roar.

Yesterday was International Women’s Day, which is always an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come on our journey towards gender equality, but also a reminder of how much work we still have to do.

When it comes to sport, we have had plenty of moments to celebrate in the last 12 months.

Mary’s Wonder Women: Super W kicks off

Published on: March 3, 2018March 3, 2018 by Mary

This article was first written and published for The Roar.

Rugby fans, Super W has officially arrived.

Yesterday was a big day for rugby in Australia. There were several key announcements made about the women’s XV game, including the announcement of the draw for the inaugural Super W competition, details about where fans can watch the action via broadcast and the unveiling of the official sponsor for the competition – Buildcorp.

Mary’s Wonder Women: The Pearls come home to Sydney

Published on: January 27, 2018 by Mary

This article was first written and published for The Roar.

Flashback to 2009. An announcement was made that rugby sevens would become an Olympic sport, set to make its debut in 2016 at Rio.

It was at this point that preparations began in Australia to not only feature men’s and women’s teams in that Olympics, but also to make sure that these teams were successful.

The Australian Rugby Union began looking for talent. They scoured the country, looked to junior talent pools and even looked to other sports like rugby league, touch football and netball, eventually writing to thousands of women asking if they wanted to participate in a trial.

Mary’s Wonder Women: The Wallaroos get their pay day

Published on: January 11, 2018January 11, 2018 by Mary

This article was first written for and published by The Roar.

During 2016 I wrote at least one article a week about women’s sport. That’s at least 52 articles covering the talents and successes of women across a number of sports including rugby league, rugby union, AFL, football, basketball, netball, softball and cricket.

This year I make the same commitment. I will continue to write about women in sport and to celebrate their achievements.

But I am also going to make another commitment to all of you this year.

Recently I was asked what I hope for women in sport in the future.

Mary’s wonder women: Dates for your 2018 diary

Published on: January 5, 2018January 5, 2018 by Mary

This article was first written for and published by The Roar.

New year. New diary. 2017 may have been a ‘watershed’ year for women in sport, but I am confident 2018 will be even better.