Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN) and Women in Sports Tech (WiST) have launched a new report, ‘Paving the Way for Sports Innovation in Australia’, celebrating more than 100 women who are driving sports innovation.

The list focuses on Australian women working at the intersection of data, digital and technology in sports performance, business and digitization.

Like the wider community, despite strong participation, rResearch shows that less than 5% of sport startups in Australia are led by women.

ASTN General Manager, Cam Vale, said the ASTN-WiST Power 100+ list recognizes women at the heart of Australia’s multi-billion dollar sports tech industry.

“We are building one of the world’s most advanced and integrated sport innovation ecosystems, and women in sport innovation must be a top strategic priority for the next decade as we head towards the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane,” said Vale.

The full report can be downloaded at here.

The list divides the top performers into several categories, including emerging leaders – government and policy, sports organizations, elite sports and universities The government and C-level executive category includes Olympic gold medalist Natalie Cook, the first Australian woman to compete in five Olympics, now a Director of the Brisbane 2032 Organizing Committee.

Also on the list is Dr Sarah Kelly, board member of the Brisbane Organizing Committee, who is also a director of Sports Diplomacy Alliance and Brisbane Lions AFL club.

The female entrepreneurs on the Power 100+ List

Female startup founders are well represented in the entrepreneurial and high-growth business category, including Fempro Armor CEO Stephanie Bofinger; Co-founder of Cipher Sports Technology, Katie Prowd; Louise Gale, CEO of DMC Sport; and STATS Perform’s Cricket Data Executive, Madeleine Chick.

The category of industry sports managers includes board member of the Tech Council of Australia Kate Jones, an NRL commissioner and director of the Australian Paralympic Games.

Listed by Women in Sports WA founder Karen Hennessy and Football Australia Chief Technology Officer Jen Simpson

The selection of ‘calls Dr. Lyndell Bruce, the senior sports teacher at Deakin University; professor of biomechanics at the University of Wollongong, Julie Steele; and Sports Director at Queensland University of Technology, including Olympian Emily Rosemond.

The list recognizes Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) National Lead in Performance Analysis, Alison Alcock, among others.

The women in government and policy officer on the Power 100+ List

According to research, inclusiveness is key to innovation and teams with gender diversity are 25% more likely to generate above-average revenues and profits.

Marilou McFarlane, CEO of WiST and a veteran leader in the sports technology industry for more than 12 years, says today almost all job seekers view the focus on DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) as a requirement, not just a preference.

“Leadership sets the tone and we are pleased to support ASTN’s efforts with specific programs that have delivered tangible results over the past six years with more than 30 corporate partners, including Nike, the NBA, Comcast NBC Sports, IBM Sports, Titleist, the USOPC and more,” she said.

Vale said they are proud to be partnering with WiST to change the culture of sportstech in Australia.

“Women are still vastly underrepresented in the local sports tech sector and the industry needs to work together to do more to inspire our next generation of female entrepreneurs and break down barriers,” she said.

“We still have a long way to go, but by working closely with WiST we hope to help change the ratio and drive real change in the industry.”

ASTN and WiST team up to build specialized programs and activities for 2023 – including the launch of ‘Fireside Chats’ with the first webinar, ‘Culture Matters’, held on March 22, 2023.

You can register here to join the conversation.