More than 240 high school students gathered at Cricket Central in Sydney Olympic Park on Tuesday for the City of Parramatta’s annual Girls in Sport Festival, hearing from athletes and coaches while trying a range of sports.
The free event brought together 243 students aged 13 to 18 from 10 local high schools, with activities including cricket, flag gridiron, basketball, tennis, pickleball and mobile rock climbing.
Former Australian tennis player Casey Dellacqua joined NRLW Parramatta Eels player Layne Morgan, lawyer and professional cheerleader Raween Albarouki, cricket coach Aarya Shipurkar and flag football ambassador Kodie Fuller on a panel discussing perseverance, achievement and leadership.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter said the festival had become one of the council’s most successful youth programs.
“Celebrating Girls in Sport has grown into one of Council’s most successful youth programs, bringing together hundreds of students to experience the benefits of sport, teamwork and leadership,” Cr Zaiter said.
He said sport offered young women skills that could be applied well beyond competition. “Sport builds confidence, resilience, leadership and lifelong friendships. These are skills that extend far beyond the playing field and help shape the next generation of leaders in our community,” he said.
Cr Zaiter said the response from students during the day had reflected the value of giving young women access to sporting opportunities and role models.
“The energy, enthusiasm and participation on display throughout the day was incredible. Events like this show young women what is possible when they back themselves and seize new opportunities,” he said.
The festival has expanded with the support of Cricket NSW, growing from 87 students representing four schools four years ago to 241 students from nine schools last year.
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
