Latest news with #womeninsport
ABC News
4 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Football players wearing red armbands protest women in sport program cuts
Football teams across Victoria have taken to the field wearing red armbands to protest the axing of state government women in sport programs. The protest was sparked by the recent axing of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, along with the Preventing Violence Through Sport Grants program. Players also wore a second red armband to honour women who have been killed by gender-based violence this year. The Bass Coast Breakers was one of the many clubs wearing the red bands. "We've been direct benefactors in the activations grants. We got one and held a women in sport lunch," Breakers founder and coach Ella Angarane said. "We've also been able to have our Pride match, and access an ambassador through the Change our Game program." Ms Angarane said slashing the program could undo years of work. Other clubs protesting included Mount Alexander Falcons in Castlemaine, North Bendigo Women's Football Team, Darebin Falcons in the Victorian Football League Women's competition, Altona Football Club and Gisborne-Kyneton United. Community organisation GippSport said the program losses had left grassroots sporting clubs scrambling. "The challenge is trying to find resource now to do it," executive officer Daniel Poynton said. "We're still waiting for government to tell us what our funding level is and once we sort of understand that, will be able to put a place in with that [and] see what we can support." Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault said the Preventing Violence Through Sport Grants Program had been working. "[It was] a really strong change agent for … the issues around prevention of violence in sport and also just reaching community where community hubs are [in] small towns," chief executive Jane Barr said. Photographer Mitch Nivalis, who made a documentary about the Mount Alexander Falcons in Castlemaine, was "totally shocked" by the cuts. "We still have a massive problem with family violence and gender-based violence in our country, so sports play an integral role in being a place to target that behaviour change," they said. Community anger at the cuts comes at a time when Victoria is seeing significant growth in football. According to AFL data, last year there was a record number of participants playing the game in the state. The data also showed Auskick numbers were growing year on year by 6 per cent, with girls now making up 20 per cent of more than 2,000 children playing the game. The overall number of women and girls playing the game in Victoria is sitting at about 20 per cent, which is on par with 2024 figures. Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas on Sunday did not directly respond to whether the programs could be reintroduced. But she said the government had made record investments in women's sport. "The participation of women in sport has only grown under the time that we have been in government," she said. "More women are playing the sports they love than ever before and we are really proud of that achievement." Ms Thomas said the Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins, and the Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence, had had a "concerted effort on ensuring our sporting clubs are safe places for women and indeed people of all genders". "It is on an ongoing project of our government," she said.
News.com.au
29-05-2025
- General
- News.com.au
'NEED to be playing NRLW!'
State of Origin: Tahnee Norris and Ali Brigginshaw addresses their concerns about the current NRLW & Women's State of Origin schedule.
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘So wrong': Popular NRL reporter's disturbing bikini video ordeal
NRL presenter Tiffany Salmond has revealed she is the latest female rugby league figure to become the victim of deepfake AI. The popular reporter has gained a large following in recent years for her work on the sideline of New Zealand Warriors games as part of Fox League's coverage. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Salmond moved across the ditch from New Zealand to Sydney in 2025 and regularly responds in good spirit to footy fans calling for her to return to an NRL TV broadcast. But on Monday morning Salmond said she had been targeted by a deepfake AI attack, with a recent photo she posted on Instagram doctored into a fake video and shared on social media. 'This morning I posted a photo of myself in a bikini,' Salmond wrote on Instagram. 'Within hours a deepfake AI video was reportedly created and circulated. 'It's not the first time this has happened to me, and I know I'm not the only woman in sport this is happening to.' She added: 'You don't make deepfakes of women you overlook. You make them of women you can't control. 'This is what it looks like when a woman commands space, attention and presence. It threatens people. 'But I'm not threatened. I'm not flattered and I'm not going anywhere. 'It's not the first time, and I'm sure it won't be the last.' Salmond wrote in an Instagram story on Sunday: 'Drinking a strawberry matcha while men spiral online. (Majority of you are sweethearts, don't worry).' She was inundated with messages of support from her followers who condemned the deepfake AI attack. One person commented: 'Omg!!!!! Yuck! I'm so sorry this has happened to you girl.' Another said: 'So wrong. So incredibly sorry it's happened to you!' Last week Salmond thanked her fans for their ongoing calls for her to return to the NRL's TV coverage. 'Even knowing a sideline role is pretty interchangebale and I barely had much screen time, to still be receiving this kind of support all this time later, mid-season, it's humbling,' she said. 'So thank you. I'm sure you'll be seeing me back on your screens very soon, whatever capacity they may be in.' Salmond's ordeal comes just weeks after NRLW superstar Jaime Chapman went public after also becoming a victim of a deepfake AI attack. The Gold Coast Titans winger on hit out after seeing doctored images of herself swirling around cyberspace, prompting a police investigation. The 23-year-old told her 86,000 Instagram followers it was not the first time images she has shared on social media have been distorted through deepfake AI programs. Her Instagram post showed a high rise photo of a beach and an inset image, believed to be the fake AI image, of herself posing for a mirror selfie in a golden bikini. It was a public plea for whoever is responsible to stop. 'Have a good day to everyone except those who make fake ai photos of other people,' she posted. She also wrote: 'Next time think of how damaging this can be to someone and their loved ones. 'This has happened a few times now and it needs to stop.' Alongside the bikini pic Chapman wrote: 'AI is scary these days'. The Gold Coast Titans released a statement on Tuesday afternoon, stating they are working alongside the NRL Integrity Unit and NSW Police to trace the origin of the deepfake AI doctored images. 'Jaime is an incredible role mode for not just our club, but for the game as a whole,' Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said in a statement. 'Not only is she a star on the field with the Titans and the Blues, but her continued work in the community is exemplary as she continues to inspire young girls of all ages on and off the field. 'It's hugely disappointing to see her victimised in this way and we will continue to support Jaime and work with the NRL and authorities on this matter. 'We will always stand up to online bullying and the creation of such defamatory false content that Jaime has been subjected to, and I wholeheartedly join with her in condemning those who have produced such vile material.' Chapman starred in NSW's series clinching State of Origin win, scoring a try in the Blues' dominant Game 2 victory. What is deepfake AI? Deepfake AI videos are synthetic media created using artificial intelligence, particularly a branch of machine learning called deep learning. These videos convincingly alter or generate footage to make it appear that someone is saying or doing something they never actually did. This is typically achieved by training algorithms on large amounts of video and audio data of a person, allowing the AI to mimic their facial expressions, voice, and mannerisms with startling realism. While the technology has legitimate uses — such as in film production, gaming, or even education — deepfakes are more commonly known for their misuse.
CTV News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Maritime Women's Basketball Association hopes to break attendance, score record on Saturday
There are a number of records that could be broken at a basketball game at the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth this Saturday at 3:00 p.m. The Maritime Women's Basketball Association, MWBA, hopes to break its attendance record of 1,268 attendees at the game between the Port City Fog and Lake City 56ers. Now in its fourth year of operation, the amateur league consists of seven teams from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. 'The main goal is to bring more awareness,' says Colter Simmonds, general manager of the Lake City 56ers. 'It's a fun atmosphere with talented players. History can be made as a community this weekend while supporting women in sport.' Lake City 56ers point guard Courtney Donaldson could also become the all-time MWBA leading scorer if she makes 20 points during this weekends game. Courtney Donaldson Courtney Donaldson playing for the Saint Mary's University Huskies. (Source: Saint Mary's University) 'I'm honestly not too focused on breaking a scoring record – my team comes first,' says Donaldson. 'I've got to let the game come to me. I'm just excited. My priority is breaking the attendance record. I'm trying to post online about it to get everybody out.' Donaldson grew up in Kelowna, B.C. She played for Saint Mary's University in Halifax for three years where they won the Atlantic University Sport Women's Basketball Championship three years in a row beginning in the 2022-2023 season. 'A lot of these women played in the AUS,' said the 26-year-old. 'It's interesting having played against them and then playing with them. You get to see all the other competitors in a new light now. It's a lot of fun.' Mackenzie Smith has experience in NCAA Division 1 playing with the Saint Joseph's University Hawks in Philadelphia. Originally from Shelburne, N.S., the 22-year-old guard said it's great to play the sport she loves in her home province with her family in the audience. Mackenzie Smith Mackenzie Smith representing Canada. (Source: MWBA) 'It's very rewarding,' said Smith, who also played for Canada in FIBA 3x3 Women's Series in 2024. 'Obviously, playing over in the U.S. is really cool, I loved my experience, but I did miss home.' MWBA players have experience in AUS, Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association, Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association, and U Sports. While an amateur league, the MWBA's website says it has 'every intention on running it professionally' with televised or live streamed games, sponsorships and social justice initiatives. 'They're very competitive teams,' says Simmonds, who would like to see the league grow. 'The MWBA is the only league of its kind in Canada where they have teams in different cities. People need to just really get out and support the league because we're building and growing something special.' MWBA Game 2 Game 2 of MWBA. (Source: MWBA) The fan support so far has been huge for Smith, she said. 'It's really cool for little girls to come out and watch these grown women playing and have something to look forward to as they grow,' Smith added. Her teammate agrees. 'I think as a whole we got to do better in supporting young girls and women in basketball, treating them as athletes,' said Donaldson. 'What I want for young girls is to be able to believe it's ok to compete. You don't always have to be nice. You don't always have to be friendly in the game of ball. You can get after it and be competitive.' The six-week MWBA season runs from the beginning of May until mid-June, ending with a championship weekend in Fredericton. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Irish Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Have your say: What is your take on the skorts controversy?
In a protest by Kilkenny and Dublin senior camogie teams at the Leinster senior semi-final earlier this month, players came on the field wearing shorts instead of skorts . Both teams were told by the referee to change to avoid the game being called off under the sport's rules, which they did, and play began. The Kilkenny-Dublin protest has reignited the skorts debate. The Camogie Association last year voted down a proposal to remove the regulation requiring players to wear a 'skirt/skort/divided skirt'. The move meant the issue was not due to be brought up for official discussion again until 2027. However, a movement for choice has gathered pace , with Fine Gael Seanad spokeswoman on sport Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn saying the ruling on skorts was 'infuriating' for anyone trying to encourage women and girls to be active in sport. Tánaiste Simon Harris said forcing players to wear skorts was 'archaic'. READ MORE The debate prompted the Camogie Association to announce it will hold a Special Congress on Thursday, May 22nd to discuss and vote on the matter . If the rule is changed, players will be free to wear shorts from Saturday, May 24th. What is your view on the skorts controversy? Do you think the rule is outdated or preserving tradition? You can let us know what you think using the form below. Please limit your submissions to 400 words or less. Please include a phone number for verification purposes only. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please indicate this in your submission and we will keep your name and contact details confidential. We will curate a selection of submissions for an article but please note we may not publish every submission we receive.
