SIA Women and Girls Program Manager named as Australian of the Year finalist
Sport Integrity Australia’s (SIA) Empowering Women and Girls in Sport Integrity Program Manager Delfina Shakespear has been named as an ACT Local Hero finalist for the Australian of the Year Award.
Nominees are selected for going above and beyond to contribute to their local communities.
Picture supplied by australianoftheyear.org.au
Ms Shakespear is a national and state-level football match official, recipient of the 2024 ACT Government Woman of the Year Special Commendation award, a volunteer Board Director for Fearless Women ACT, and has worked tirelessly to champion women and equity in sport.
Ms Shakespear joined SIA in September 2024 to lead the delivery of its dedicated gender equity in sport integrity program; designed to prevent and respond to integrity threats to women and girls across all levels of sport so that women and girls can enter, stay and thrive in sport.
Ms Shakespear said she is honoured to be named as a finalist for the ACT Australian of the Year award.
“The opportunity to lead the Empowering Women and Girls in Sport Integrity Program at Sport Integrity Australia links perfectly with my passion for mentoring and advocating for women and girls in football refereeing,” Ms Shakespear said.
“I’m committed to fostering change in culture at all levels of sport, providing opportunities to share not only my experiences but to amplify those of others and the stories that make up the fabric of sport.
“This is what will lead to genuine and long-term change in the sporting environment to ensure women and girls can stay and thrive.
“Being recognised for my work and passion, in this way, fills me with a sense of pride and encouragement that this work matters to our wider community.”
Of the ACT nominees, four will be selected as finalists across four categories, with the winner then going into the running for the Australian of the Year Award.
The ACT Australian of the Year finalists will be announced at an awards ceremony on 14 November 2024.
The Empowering Women and Girls in Sport program was announced by Minister for Sport Anika Wells in early 2024. It has a primary focus on safety and integrity issues facing women and girls.
