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TAKING FIVE

with
WOMEN’S SPORT ADVOCATE

Chyloe Kurdas

The Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Marathon Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Marathon has roots
welcomed Chyloe Kurdas to their 2018 Ambassador in environmental health and sustainability alongside James
team. Bringing with her more than 20 years’ Cook University with the Run For The Reef initiative, and
experience in leading significant cultural change this is an additional drawcard for Chyloe.
and building gender equality in professional sport, “We need outdoor spaces for our own health and
Chyloe took time out of her busy schedule to chat wellbeing, and in doing so, supporting environmental
about this unique event. initiatives that work towards protecting them. This is
A former elite Australian Rules footballer, television and radio a beautiful event, it’s a tough course, but so beautiful!
sports commentator, and most recently a TEDxSydney Without this stunning backdrop, you don’t get to enjoy this
keynote speaker on women in sport, Chyloe Kurdas has race or this challenge,” Chyloe said.
spent a decade building the catalyst for Australia’s first “It’s been 20 years since I was last on the Great Barrier
ever national women’s professional competition, AFLW, as Reef. I get dreadfully sea sick, but it’s totally worth enduring
AFL Victoria’s Female Football Development Manager. the nausea for! Sport is a great platform to showcase a
Having played for Melbourne University from 1999 until message, but I’m not motivated to do this work for sports’
2010, worked and coached for AFL Victoria as female sake. I do it for the human rights and in this case the
development manager from 2007 until 2016, and environmental cause, both personal and political. Sport
overseeing the start of the AFL’s National Female Academy, is a great vehicle to facilitate change, it reaches into the
Chyloe is one of the courageous women behind the push homes and hearts of people. In supporting James Cook

for a national women’s AFL competition. She has also University and supporting our environment, this event is
recently been appointed the National Female Participation a natural fit – it talks to the environmental needs of the
Manager for Golf Australia, overseeing the enhancement region.”
of women and girls in golf. “When I was growing up, I trained in karate, and we would
“Our Australian national psyche is built on war and always bow before entering the dojo, then bow again
sport. Both are things that women have historically been before fighting our opponent. My grandmother would laugh
excluded from. That’s impacted our culture and our at this tradition, not understanding that it was actually a
community and how we socialise and how we position sign of respect. It was a thank you in providing the space
men and women,”she told Port Douglas Magazine. to train and a thank you to the opponent for providing
“Being asked to support this marathon is really exciting. the opportunity to get stronger. The GBR Marathon is a
Not only is it a gruelling course, but with almost 70% of the metaphorical bow to both the natural environment and to
registered runners being women, it simply goes to show the university to say thank you.”
that women are not scared of this kind of challenge – it’s
not about running for the scoreboard, it’s simply running Join Chyloe on October 28th
for yourself and your own personal growth. The story in
itself is to keep the body moving. greatbarrierreefmarathon.com.au
“This marathon is consistent with the kind of person I try to
be – it’s testing yourself in a traditionally male-dominated Chyloe’s role with the GBR Marathon will include event
space. I want to support this because it’s something promotions, athlete recruitment, social media engagement
women are supporting. This is a great opportunity to and attending in-person marathon-related events leading
live the message I spread. Sport is a place to share our up to and including race weekend. Additional pre-race and
learnings, so this is a lovely chance to bring over my race day activations are currently being planned.
learning into an athletics space.”

PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 81