Hoops Capital hosts inaugural Women in Sport Panel

Hoops Capital hosted its inaugural Women in Sport and Leadership event last week at the Australian Museum in Sydney, featuring trailblazing leaders including CEO of Harvey Norman Katie Page, Hoops Capital’s majority owner Robyn Denholm, and basketball legend and Olympian Lauren Jackson. 

Delivered in partnership with Forbes Women and moderated by editor-in-chief of Forbes Australia, Sarah O’Carroll, the panel explored key issues around women’s sport in Australia, including transferable skills in the workforce, supporting the next generation of athletes and leaders, and overcoming adversity. 

The event was opened by the NSW Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper MP, who shared the Government’s commitment to supporting women and girls in sport. 

Minister Kamper outlined the Play Her Way women's sports strategy, aimed at increasing participation in sport and providing pathways into leadership and coaching positions. 

Denholm, who is also the soon-to-be majority owner of the Women’s National Basketball League, reflected on her journey into sport, pursuing a family passion that creates positive impacts for generations to come within our communities. 

Page shared her journey advocating for women’s sports across Australia to create systemic change and new opportunities for girls today, particularly through the creation of the successful Harvey Norman Future Flames program. 

This innovative development pathway combines athletic training and business acumen, enabling women to pursue basketball at an elite level. 

This season, three players - Carla Pitman, Caitlyn Martin, and Piper Anderson, were part of the Flames squad in WNBL25. 

“For the young ones, I say, ‘Bite off more than you can chew,’” Page said. 

“Just go for it and do things - you've got your career happening, but do things outside of your career as well, whether it's sports-related or whatever it is that helps you craft how you go forward in life.” 

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Five-time Olympic medallist Lauren Jackson opened up about how formative the past few years have been, sharing milestones alongside her family and boys. 

Jackson, whose globally decorated career is no stranger to setbacks and injury, shared advice on facing adversity. 

“I've talked about falling flat on my face before,” said Jackson, who was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021. 

“I think that happens in life, you know, but it's really important to get back up, keep moving forward, and not let something like that stop you.” 

A significant portion of the conversation centred around supporting the next generation of sports stars and leaders. 

Jackson’s advice for the next generation of sports stars, “Just to have fun with it, enjoy it, enjoy sport, enjoy the pathways.” 

Denholm rounded out the conversation by reflecting on her global career with some words of advice for those curious about making their next move. 

“My motto is you should just go for it,” Denholm said. 

“You should just take it by the ears and go for it, and you will have doubts in the back of your head, ‘Can I do this?’ Just push them aside and actually say, ‘Okay, I'm going for it. I'm going full force for it.’ If I do fall flat on my face, just pick yourself up and keep going.” 

This event was part of Hoops Capital’s B2B program, which is set to officially launch later this year.