Another month has come and gone and fake spring has certainly hit us in the nations capital.  Just when we think the cooler weather is behind us, back it comes to taunt us! 

Finding the appropriate words to describe what we can say about 2020 is a challenge.  I wonder how future generations will talk about 2020 in the years to come? 

September marks the 20^th Anniversary of the Sydney 2000 Olympics which gave us all some magical moments.  Cathy Freeman's gold in the 400m, the opening ceremony and the red card that broke the heart of a nation when race walker Jane Saville was disqualified in the final meters of the 20km event.   

My 2000 Games highlights were sitting at both the pool watching the men’s 4 X 100 freestyle relay smash the Americans in a world record time and witnessing Matthew Long and James Tomkins take the bronze in the Men’s coxless pair.  I followed with pride the efforts of Patrick Johnson and Kyle Vanderkuyp, and although the medals eluded them they did us all proud.   I don’t think I slept much that fortnight as I travelled back and forth to Sydney Olympic Aquatic Centre or the International Rowing Centre in Penrith. I watched many events on TV and, like thousands of others, watched the closing ceremony on the big screens in Darling Harbour.  

Whilst we rejoice in the successes of our Olympians we are reminded that there is still a long way for some sporting codes to go.  This month has been marred by what many are calling Netball Australia’s snub of Jenna Mi Mi in the Super Netball’s Indigenous Round. Jemma was the face used to promote the Indigenous Round and many fans have been highly critical of the Brisbane Firebirds for leaving her on the bench.  Netball boasts one of the highest participant rates of Indigenous players in Australian sport.  When we look back at some of our most successful players of the 80s and 90s, like Marcia Ella and Andrea Mason, and more recently Josie Janz and Helena Saunders, we wonder how could the Firebirds and Netball Australia have got it so wrong?  Hopefully this is a reminder to all sporting codes to lift their game and be reminded that if you want to talk the talk, you need to walk the walk.  Word must be backed up with actions.

So with all that said it is appropriate that this month’s quote comes to us from Cathy herself… “Disappointment and adversity can be catalysts for greatness.”  

So remember to take every encounter you experience, positive or negative, and use it as your catalyst for greatness.

Robyn Forester, September 2020