Play your way: Creating safe and equitable spaces for women and girls in sport

Growing up in Wagga Wagga, a town so nice they named it twice, Bec is a 'Can Do Country Girl.' She thrives on meeting new people and understanding their stories, believing everyone has something to teach her.

As an inaugural player with the Richmond Tigers in 2020, Bec has become a key defender for the yellow and black across seven AFLW seasons in 6 years. Beyond the AFLW, she has previously fulfilled a passion for storytelling in a 6-year digital marketing role and is currently acquiring her remote pilot license as well as co-hosting Richmond Tigers' official AFLW podcast show titled 'Moments that Make us.'

In both her sporting and professional endeavours, Bec values authenticity and gratitude. She is thrilled to be a part of Our Watch's Changemakers pilot program with fellow AFLW and AFL athletes.

Jade is a 2x premiership player with the Brisbane Lions AFLW team, playing over 65 games to date.

Jade has been with the Brisbane Lions since 2018 and outside of football, she is a registered nurse. She has completed a Bachelor of Paramedic Science in 2021 and then Master of Nursing in 2024. Juggling a life of football and nursing, Jade has a passion for helping others and empowering those around her, which has led her to be on our panel today.

Shannon is a national level basketball referee who most recently worked the WNBL Grand Final series and debuted on NBL during the 24/25 season. She started this journey at 12 at a small Country Victorian association and has been ticking off goals bit by bit ever since.

Rebekah is the True Sport Project Officer at SportWest, the peak industry body for sport in Western Australia.

True Sport is a framework designed to safeguard, support, and equip the WA sport industry to tackle industry challenges. Rebekah supports sporting organisations to address these challenges through the True Sport Initiatives: Mental Health & Wellbeing, Sideline Behaviour, Child Safeguarding, and Respectful Relationships. The Respectful Relationships Initiative empowers organisations to play a proactive role in preventing family and domestic violence by embedding respectful behaviours into everyday sport culture through education, training, and practical resources.

Harriet Cordner is a seasoned Australian Rules footballer who currently plays for the Carlton Football Club in the AFL Women’s competition. Known for her strength, leadership, and intercepting ability in the backline, Cordner has built a reputation as a consistent and reliable defender throughout her AFLW career.

Cordner began her AFLW journey with Melbourne in the inaugural AFLW season in 2017, joining the club as a category B rookie. Before crossing over to Richmond in 2020 for 3 seasons. After battling a knee injury, Cordner made a fresh start with Carlton in March 2023. Since joining the Blues, she hasn’t missed a game, quickly establishing herself as a leader on and off the field. She is currently a member of Carlton's leadership group and is a passionate advocate for the club's community program, Carlton Respects, particularly the Road to Respect program delivered in primary schools.

Kim Evans is a senior legal professional, strategy and governance consultant, and long-time sports administrator with more than 25 years’ experience in community, state, and national sport.

She is currently Deputy President of Adelaide University Sport and President of Adelaide University Rugby Club, and has served in leadership roles across Rugby Australia, Rugby SA, Softball SA, and other sports. Kim has led programs that have expanded participation, strengthened governance and accountability, and promoted inclusion.  She brings a clear, pragmatic voice on how sport can drive cultural change and play a central, positive role in the lives of women and girls. 

Kim played rugby for 23 years, and now her ankles hate her; she hates them right back.