The Confederation of Australian Sport acknowledges the enormous contribution that women and girls make towards the success of Australian sport at all levels.
“As we congratulate all female participants and contributors on this 2021 International Women’s Day CAS would particularly like to highlight the outstanding work being done by our General Manager of the 18th Australian Masters Games Perth 2021 – Kirsten Drower,” said Rob Bradley CAS President.
The Australian Masters Games (AMG) has a long history of bringing together weekend warriors from around the country for a week-long festival of sport.
In April 2020, Kirsten Drower was appointed as the first female General Manager in 18 editions of the AMG. “I actually started my career as a Sport Liaison Officer for the 2003 Australian Masters Games in Canberra so what an amazing opportunity to return 18 years later as General Manager,” recalls Kirsten.
“I’m delighted and proud to be the first female General Manager of the Australian Masters Games,” she said.
People and organisations around the world are coming together for International Women’s Day, Drower said the AMG will be celebrating its female participants, past, present and future. The AMG has seen a steady increase in female participation. In 2019 females made up 54% of participants in the AMG.
“It’s an exciting time for women in sport in Australia, with new opportunities for participation and leadership continuing to emerge,” Drower said.
“With female participation in the AMG increasing over recent years, we look forward to celebrating all our female participants this International Women’s Day and encourage even more women to register for what will be a great Games in Perth this October.”
Drower said she is blessed to have her strong female support network and her mentor, who has been a positive role model and invaluable coach throughout her career. Encouraging other women to connect with others in their industry and learn from them and support them.
“I’d like to encourage women in all industries to trust themselves, be confident, speak up and celebrate their successes.”
Kirsten has worked across a variety of major events from the G20 Summit to the Commonwealth Games however the AMG remains a favourite because of the opportunity it offers to the participants.
“It provides opportunities for weekend warriors to get active, connect with new and old friends and explore an exciting destination each edition,” she said.
“It’s heart-warming and inspiring hearing the stories of friendship and triumph from past participants. I can’t wait to experience the buzz of the AMG this October.”
Drower still has a huge goal to achieve and with the announcement of Brisbane being the preferred hosts for the 2032 Olympic Games she is one step closer to achieving it.
“What an incredible way to round out my events career with an Olympic Games in my home city,” she said.
“Working an Olympic Games, and with Brisbane in the running for 2032, that might just be a possibility!”
Kirsten Drower the first female General Manager of the Australian Masters Games.