On International Women’s Day this year, the Shooting Stars girls and women marked the occasion by gathering for lunches and activities.
While students, staff, family and other special guests got involved, we all reflected on the reasons to acknowledge International Women’s Day, appreciating the women who have made a significant impact on our lives, identifying the changes we hope to see in society, and drawing inspiration from those who have already started paving the way.
Some of the West Coast Fever players travelled to sites, where they had the day to connect and share with the Shooting Stars girls. The players participated in ice-breaker activities, weaving, making damper, Q&A sessions, and they ran netball sessions with the girls – it’s not every day you get to train with a premiership-winning netball champion! Sunday Aryang, Rudi Ellis and Jhaniele Fowler spent the day with Kiara College, Merredin College and Collie Senior High School respectively.
Jhaniele has been involved with Shooting Stars for six years now, and has witnessed the growth of the program as well as the individual girls – some of whom have now completed school and become Shooting Stars staff.
“It’s such a fulfilling feeling, just being part of their lives,” she says.
“I think Shooting Stars is what it is because of the people they employ … just how dedicated they are – you can feel how passionate they are about the girls and wanting to be there for them”.
There’s no doubt, positive role models make up a big part of what makes the Shooting Stars program work. We were lucky to have lots of strong, inspiring women to celebrate International Women’s Day with, not to mention the many brilliant leaders and role models in our staff, who are with the girls every day!
