Women’s sport in Australia is rife with challenges. From sexism and inequity in airtimes, salaries and arenas, to perceptions of what women can achieve. From the moment change-makers set out to shift the perception they embark on a mission of overcoming.
It requires determination and willpower to excel in the Australian sporting scene, and these three driven women are doing just that.
Drive, Determination and Overcoming
Overcoming obstacles requires, drive, determination and the willingness to challenge what is considered the norm. In other words, we’re looking at the pioneers, the rule breakers and the innovators.
Some industries, such as women’s sport, still have progress to make — more on that in a moment — while others, such as beauty, are thriving. New product launches and innovative formulas have become the norm. But there’s one recent launch that stands out for disrupting the norm of what ingredients can be featured together in the one powerhouse product. Lancôme’s Rénergie C.R.x. Triple Serum Retinol ($244 at Myer) has an innovative new formula that merges (from three separate chambers) pure retinol, vitamin C and x-peptides into one skin-benefitting formula.
Taking a leaf out of the beauty world’s commitment to change, we’re highlighting three influential women in the Australian sporting scene who are leaving societal expectations in the dust.
Overcoming Expectations
From boxing lessons at a local gym to hitting the international stage, Tina Rahimi has broken-down barriers on her path to boxing fame. Starting off in 2017 with a local boxing class, Rahimi could never have imagined that in 2024 she would be competing at the Paris Olympics. Rahimi is redefining what strength, femininity and religion look like as Australia’s first-ever female Muslim boxer.
Not only is her makeup continuously flawless in and out of the ring, but she was also the first Australian boxer to compete wearing a Hijab, proving that no matter what expectations are placed upon you, you can always overcome them.
Overcoming Self-Doubt
Australia’s most storied and successful return to international football comes from age-, injury- and expectation-defying Michelle Heyman. The decorated striker has earned top position for goals scored in the Women’s A-League, multiple times.
Her rise to success has been anything but straightforward. Women’s football has transformed from an era where mistreatment and disrespect were the norm to becoming household names, selling out arenas.
But to get there Heyman has had to overcome repeated injuries, battles with mental health struggles and people’s perception of age. At 36, Heyman returned to the Matilda’s after a five-year hiatus from international football, finally getting her redemption story.
Overcoming Obstacles
Olivia Vivian began overcoming obstacles right from birth. Being born with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, Vivian was told that she would never be able to compete in sports. But she didn’t let that stop her from training to be an elite gymnast. Her next obstacle was her height. Standing at 167cm Vivian was considered too tall, which is a stretch, so she yet again persisted. At the age of 19, she competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, helping the Australian team secure sixth place overall — a historic victory for the team.
Even breaking her back while training for a new move didn’t stop her determination. Vivian competed at the 2014 Commonwealth Games (with the Australian team winning silver), before finally retiring from gymnastics.
Her story is by no means over. Once again, Vivian has defied expectations by becoming a top competitor in Australian Ninja Warrior, an event dominated by men.
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