The 4th - 10th March is NSW Women’s Week and we are featuring some of Swimming NSW’s fantastic women. From coaching to officiating to swimmers and staff we have some great women who pioneer and inspire in our sport and in NSW. Here is Sarah Platts who is very embeded in our sport as a Technical Official, you'll hear her voice announcing at many of our meets, she is a Club Committee member and also on the Swimming NSW Board and she gave some cracking answers to our questions!
1. What inspired you to get involved with Swimming NSW, and how has your journey within the association empowered you as a woman in sports leadership?
Like so many I became involved in swimming as a parent to be the best cheer-squad and mum for my daughter, which by the way, continues to give me goosebumps to this day. Those who know me will be acutely aware that I am not good at sitting still (!) so I quickly found my way to club committees and pool deck where I discovered so much more about our sport and gathered incredible respect for technical officials, Swimming NSW staff, coaches and athletes. I rapidly developed a love for swimming, our nation’s largest participation sport, and the positive impact it can have on lives whether it be elite, for safety or fun. This broad perspective combined with my professional background gave me the perfect opportunity to have a voice and at times the courage, to speak out on important areas I believe in.
2. As we are in Women’s Week and you are a woman making waves in the swimming community, what initiatives do you champion to promote inclusivity and gender equality within the sport?
Rather than initiatives I prefer to think of my approach to championing as an everyday mindset and contribution. As a Board Member at Swimming NSW we envision and advocate for a number of initiatives that have at the heart inclusivity and gender equality in swimming; this is so important, we all appreciate that there is much more to do. The current initiatives have made great inroads but we must appreciate that this is just the start. More importantly the impact I hope to create is in the everyday (and board) discussions and decisions where I play a role to add perspective, educate, offer alternatives, ask questions and vigorously challenge on behalf of all the women in our sport.
3. How do you suggest we navigate challenges and break barriers to encourage more women to pursue roles in coaching, officiating, or administration within Swimming NSW?
Quite simply, you can’t be what you can’t see. Swimming NSW, like many other organisations, needs to continue to focus on creating an environment where we make it easier for women and girls to thrive. The more visible we are, the more we create role models for others to follow. This is no easy ask, but we must see this as an opportunity rather than as a challenge. I think the best way to solve for this is to amplify what is right, learn more about and leverage what works, and by nature this will address the challenges. There is so much to learn and leverage from our recent initiatives which can create programs of work for years to come.
4. As we celebrate Women's Week, could you share a memorable experience or achievement that highlights the strength and resilience of fellow female swimmers, coaches, or administrators in NSW?
You cannot take away from the incredible strength and resilience of our NSW athletes, coaches, officials and administrators; they are truly inspiring. I am going to go a little left field here and for this question celebrate the strength and resilience of the one and the only… swimming mum! We see you, appreciate you and I’ve been you! Without your commitment, strength and sacrifice so much would not be possible. The 4.30am alarm, sleeping in the car under 5 blankets on 4 degree mornings, showering and getting ready for work at the pool, preparing and eating breakfast in the car and then being a fully functioning person at work for 8 hours before doing the afternoon swim run, dinner, shopping, cooking, washing… you get the gist. It is no mean feat to be the nutritionist, psychologist, to bring love no matter what, a sounding board with no judgement, a little wave and smile from the stands when you know your child is hurting and unconditional cheer regardless of the meet, race and performance (yes, I have been known to lose my voice at nationals). Mum’s, we salute you; happy Women’s Week and please know that on the Board I try to represent your interests as best I can.
5. From grassroots to elite levels, how do you envision the future of women's swimming in NSW, and what steps are crucial to ensuring equitable opportunities and recognition for female athletes and leaders in the sport?
The future of swimming in NSW is very bright. I firmly believe that the values of Swimming NSW will be the framework for our success; Lead, Believe, Integrity, Collaborate, Encourage. Lead, leaders go first, we need to try and do things that others haven’t done before, test approaches (they may or may not work) but you never know unless you give it a go. Believe, we must believe in the performance, potential and the contribution women in NSW can make and be relentless in this pursuit. Integrity, at all times do what is best. Equity is just that, not more or less, it’s equal. Equality is not a competition between men and women it’s about magnifying talent and giving it a way to shine. Collaborate, we cannot achieve equity and recognition on our own. Working together on a common goal is fundamental to moving forward, and create communities that elevate women and recognise the small and large things more frequently. Encourage, we need to build systems and ways to encourage the tiny swimmer on pool deck whose goggles are bigger than her face, the performance athlete that is not “elite” but the backbone of club culture and the talents of the inspirational female athletes who churn the pool and lift the crowd to their feet. Each of these moments are significant and all small steps to build our future in NSW.
