280. Women in Sport: Making Running Safer with Kerry Turner
Today weâre joined by Kerry Turner, an Olympian, sports leader, and advocate for increasing womenâs participation, safety, and sense of belonging in sport.
Kerry shares her journey from representing Australia in water polo to leading initiatives focused on creating more inclusive and empowering sporting environments for women and girls. We hear about her Olympic experience, the pioneering role her mother played in womenâs water polo, and the changes she has witnessed across womenâs sport over the years.
We also dive into the important issue of safety in running. Kerry discusses the research behind womenâs experiences of safety while running, the barriers this can create to participation, and initiatives such as Run My Way and Play Her Way that are working to create more welcoming and accessible spaces for women and girls.
We discuss:
Kerryâs journey from water polo to the Olympic Games
Her motherâs pioneering role in womenâs water polo
The fight for womenâs water polo to become an Olympic sport
What we can do to increase participation among women and girls
Why safety, visibility, and belonging matter in womenâs sport
The research around womenâs safety and running habits
The Run My Way and Play Her Way initiatives
The role of media and representation in shaping womenâs sport
Mental health, body image, and the pressures facing young women
How men can become better allies in creating safer sporting environments
This is a really important conversation about more than just getting women to participate in sport. Itâs about creating environments where women and girls feel safe, welcome, represented, and worthy of being there.
Kerryâs perspective is both inspiring and practical, and this episode is a great reminder that creating change in sport isnât just about participation numbers â itâs about building communities where people genuinely feel like they belong.
Stronger Stride Coaching: â https://strongerstridecoaching.com
Find out more about Kerry's work:
https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/play-her-way
https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/play-her-way-innovation-program
https://www.instagram.com/officeofsportnsw/
Follow Us: Instagram: â @strongerstrideâ | â @sophielaneâ | â @lydia_mckayâ
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction to Kerry Turner's journey and work
02:42 Kerry's early sporting career and Olympic experience
08:49 Her mother's pioneering role in women's water polo
12:43 The fight for inclusion in the Olympics
17:43 The rise of women's sport in Australia
22:57 Strategies to support women and girls in sport
25:31 The Run My Way initiative and safety in running
11:04 Research findings on women's safety and running habits
27:45 The importance of male allyship and community support
22:12 Innovative programs and pilot projects for safer spaces
11:05 The future vision for women's participation in sport
32:54 Closing thoughts and call to action
Thanks for tuning in!
TSSP x
