Women’s Health I Support Women in Sport awards

By Mediaweek

Posted on 6 October 2016

Year of women in sport celebrated at sixth annual Women’s Health I Support Women in Sport Awards

•  Layne Beachley honoured at I Support Women in Sport Awards

The night of nights for women in sports, the Women’s Health I Support Women In Sport Awards, were held at Carriageworks in Sydney last night.

The big winners of the night were Australian golfer Kim Brennan, who was named Sportswoman of the Year, and Chloe Esposito, who won the Moment of the Year award for winning gold in the Modern Pentathlon event at the Rio Olympics. The women’s rugby team Aussie 7s was named A-Team of the Year.

The highlight of the event came from 2016 Hall of the Fame inductee Layne Beachley, a former world champion surfer. As she made her way to the stage, a short video of her career was played to the audience. “It was great watching that video. It just reminds me about how fucking awesome my life is,” she told the crowd, laughing.

Sunrise sports presenter Mark Beretta returned as MC for a second year, but this time he shared the role with colleague Edwina Bartholomew.

Mark Beratta and Edwina Bartholomew listen to Jackie Frank speaking to the audience

The sixth annual awards night was a toned-down affair compared to last year’s ceremony, which was held at the Hordern Pavilion with a sit down three-course meal. The number of categories were also wound back from 12 to 10. However, this year had the highest number of women athletes gathered in one room, Women’s Health editor Felicity Harley told the crowd.

This was Harley’s last attendance as the editor of  the Pac Mags title. She will be moving to News Corp in January 2017 to edit a new women’s website.

The night was “bitter-sweet”, Harley told Mediaweek, following the awards ceremony. She is founding editor of Women’s Health and also the person responsible for launching the awards night.

The grand event also marked the first magazine event outing for new Pacific Magazines CEO Gereurd Roberts.

Other notable faces in the crowd included Sunrise’s David Koch, AAP’s Mike Osborne, Pacific Magazines publisher Jackie Frank, Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner, Seven director of corporate affairs Simon Francis and Ten’s Sandra Sully.

Guests left the event with a heavy gift bag filled with a Wanderlust’s scented candle, Wotnot’s facial wipes, travel case and mirror pack, a small tube of Colgate Optic White, Revlon’s Multicare Base + Top Coat, Mitchum’s clinical gel, a shower gel from Rituals, Evo’s dry shampoo, headbands from Scünci, Bounce’s coconut and almond kisses, a granola bar from Freedom, as well as Swisse’s Vitamin D tablets, natural defence moisturiser, deep sea hydrating mist toner and cranberry antioxidant facial oil.

Women’s Health I Support Women in Sport gift bag contents

Full list of winners:

Hall of Fame – LAYNE BEACHLEY AO, Former Professional Surfer
Women’s Health Sportswoman of the Year – KIM BRENNAN, Rowing
Moment of the Year – CHLOE ESPOSITO, Pentathlon
Moment of the Year (Reader’s Choice) – MICHELLE PAYNE, Horseracing
A-Team of the Year – AUSTRALIAN WOMENS SEVENS, Rugby
Leadership Legend – ANNA MEARES, Cycling
Fair Fighter – LIESL TESCH, Paralympic Sailing & RUAN SIMS, Rugby
Local Heroine – JOSIE JANZ-DAWSON, Netball
One to Watch – ELLA NELSON, Athletics
Person of Sporting Influence – MOYA DODD, FFA and FIFA Executive
Australian Federal Government Award for Outstanding Woman in Sport – MICHELLE PAYNE