This International Women’s Day, the Storm Group, Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club and Sunshine Coast Lightning Netball Club, are proud to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible women that make up our Clubs.
The Group recognises the importance of supporting women not just today but everyday and are proud to share the ways in which we play our part in the push toward gender equality all year round.
Women of Storm
Sport in Australia has, for years, been a vehicle for change. Whether by choice or circumstance, the sporting stage has given voices to those affected by societal challenges such as racism, bullying, domestic violence, and inequality every day.
The Storm Group – owners of Melbourne Storm and Super Netball team Sunshine Coast Lightning – has supported and promoted many of these causes over a quarter of a century.
Through the formation of Women of Storm, we celebrate the contribution of women in our two elite sporting organisations, while giving voice to the women and men fighting for positive change, inclusiveness and equality.
Through a series of events and initiatives, we invite women and men to come together, opening the conversation to encourage, educate and celebrate all people doing their part to drive change.
Whether through supporting the NRL’s Women in League Round, Sunshine Coast Lightning, its partnership with the Victorian Women’s Trust, or week-to-week engagement with our female audience, ‘Women of Storm’ will look to provide a voice on one of the biggest platforms in Australian sport.
Victorian Women’s Trust
Melbourne Storm has been in partnership with the Victorian Women’s Trust for over 12 years.
Established in 1985, the Victorian Women’s Trust operates with the vision that ‘full gender equality = a world where women, girls, non-binary and gender diverse people take up all of life’s opportunities with respect, safety and dignity.’
Storm sees this as a practical and symbolic statement of women and men working together, advocating for gender equality.
The long-standing partnership has seen the pairing deliver the ‘Be the Hero’ campaign, preventing violence by building respectful relationships between young men and women, and the ‘Storming Against Violence’ campaign, highlighting the key role men play in reducing violence against women and children.
Player Welfare Manager Brian Phelan and Player Wellbeing Coordinator Peter Robinson have been active members of the VWT Critical Friends Group, supporting the development of Club Respect, a community sports initiative that promotes safety and respect in clubs across the country.
Confident Girls Foundation
Sunshine Coast Lightning has partnered with the Confident Girls Foundation since 2018, working with the not-for-profit organisation to provide opportunities for disadvantaged girls to thrive through netball.
Last year, in partnership with Confident Girls Foundation, Lightning facilitated its Chancellor College First Nations Local Leaders Program. The Program consisted of five sessions that encouraged the students to build confidence through engaging in small group activities including art, exercise and education. The Lightning players were able to connect with the students, and they witnessed them come out of their shells and gain confidence along the way.
Lightning were also involved in the annual Confident Girls Foundation x The Tie-Dye Project fundraiser raffle this year, where fans could donate to go into the raffle to win a signed netball bib by their favourite team. The Lightning community rallied behind the cause, raising $13,863 — more than any other team in the competition. All the proceeds will go to help vulnerable girls and women through netball.
The Storm Group are proud of the initiatives they have undertaken so far and are committed to continuing the journey to gender equality.
