Gippsland › Latest news › Bass Coast Local News
Bass Coast Shire Council continues drive for gender equality with equal prize money
Bass Coast Shire to hold sports events that have a prize money to men and women who will win.
In a major push by Bass Coast Shire Council to achieve gender equality, professional sporting bodies holding events in the Shire must award equal prize money to men and women.
The Bass Coast Shire was instrumental in making Women's Motocross happen and event organiser Yarrive Konsky appreciates their commitment to motorcycle sport and events in their shire
First time in motocross competition
The announcement follows a breakthrough decision to split the prize money equally between the winners of the male and female competitions of the AMX Motocross Open, to be held in Wonthaggi next month.
Wonthaggi-Dandenong Motorcycle Club will host the event being held on December 11 and 12, with more than 180 competitors expected. The $20,000 prize money, one of the largest purses in Motocross, will be split between the top classes. It is the first time equal prize money has been awarded in Australian Motocross and believed to be the first time in world Motocross competition.
Powerful message about gender equality
Bass Coast Shire CEO Ali Wastie said the decision to negotiate equal prize money sent a powerful message about gender equality and was "simply the right thing to do. It is only fair that male and female athletes are treated with equality and we will actively support sporting bodies that embody those values," Ms Wastie said.
If this is a lever to achieve positive change then that's a good thing. Australian Motocross rider Emma Milesevic said the equal prize money had been "a long time coming". "I want to thank the organisers, the sponsors, and the Bass Coast Shire. I know how much effort the women riders put into their racing and to be recognised like this is amazing," Ms Milesevic said.
"The Bass Coast Shire wanted to stimulate events in their local community, so we are pleased to have their support for a motocross event. We are also proud they wanted the prize to be split equally across all competitors, male and female. Their commitment was integral to bringing the event to Wonthaggi," event organiser Yarrive Konsky said.
Pictures from Bass Coast Shire Council Facebook page.
Source: www.gippsland.com
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Latest News
ANZAC Day events across South Gippsland and other shire council updatesGippsland students urged to enter National Water Week poster contest by 6 September 2024
Have your say and help develop Trafalgar Structure Plan through online survey by 20 May 2024
Stay vigilant and report scams to IDCare on 1800595160 as over 500,000 Aussies lose $3B in 2022
Tim Bull visits Gallipoli and honours fallen locals such as Basil Hooper, Vern Brookes, Thomas Bell, and Thomas Haylock
Community feedback needed for East Gippsland Shire Council Draft 2024/25 Budget by 29 May 2024
Fresh food tax criticised by industry as lack of clarity on payment and collection will harm families and farmers
Russell Broadbent seeks answers to 20% increase in cardiac arrests by advocating investigation to include vaccine mandates
East Gippsland Shire Council highlights telecommunications infrastructure when advocating over thirty goals for community resilience and development
Russell Broadbent addresses nationwide Covid injustices-rights breaches, lockdowns, mandates and waste of $577B on vaccine and tests