Girls Only Project is proud to announce the first two winners of our Photo Story Competition who each win R1000 for their photos of the JOYS and CHALLENGES of being a women in sport.
Hayley Nixon – World Champion Surfski Paddler (@hayleszn)
A moment of relief and exhaustion- a great CHALLENGE finishing my first Cape Point Challenge, a 52km paddling race – having won and finally being able to ‘let go’ into my husbands supportive arms. Women have to be strong on the sports field and compete without fear. But it is also wonderful, the moment I crossed the finish line, to be a vulnerable wife (my husband is also moment away from shedding a tear!).
Here are two strong women. This is JOY because 5 years ago I felt I was failing, but there are no failures in this photo. Here is SATISFACTION: its not always about the winning – we came 5th but by our sheer joy you would think we had won gold. Here is HOPE: if two women with full-time jobs, married and one with children, can compete at the highest level with fire in their hearts, why can’t you? Here is PRIDE: two women, friends, wives and daughters relishing a moment where gender and results don’t matter.
Nondumiso – track athlete and cross country runner (@nondumiso_speedy)
The CHALLENGE of being a women in sport is that we are often criticized and feel judged. I feel that women in sport are not taken seriously because we are told that the only thing we are good at is household chores and looking after siblings or family. This demotivates us and makes it challenging to grow and perform in sport.
The JOY of being a women in sport is being able to inspire not just teammates and friends, but showing all of society that women can play sport and be great at it. By playing sport we can motivate another girl to follow her dreams and not worry about how she looks.
The rest of the top 10 winners will be announced over the next week.
