International Women's Day 2025

International Women’s Day (March 8th) is a global celebration of women’s achievements. It's also a call to action for gender equality, highlighting the need for continued progress in breaking down barriers and empowering women everywhere. From raising awareness to inspiring change, today we honour the incredible impact women make in every corner of the world. 🌍💪💖. 

This March, in honour of IWD, Volleyball NSW (VNSW) will highlight some of the incredible women within our sport who are currently paving the way for females in various pathways across Volleyball in Australia. Be sure to follow us on social media and visit our website to get an inside look at the amazing women shaping the future of volleyball.

The 2025 International Women’s Day theme is "Accelerate Action." As a sport, we have the opportunity to work together to create meaningful progress towards gender equality. Volleyball is widely considered one of the most gender-equal sports globally, with balanced gender participation, particularly at the grassroots and recreational levels. Men and women alike enjoy similar opportunities to engage and compete.

Here in NSW, we have some extraordinary female community members who are helping raise the profile of volleyball, both in the state and internationally. Over the month of March, we are excited to share their stories and insights, hoping to inspire our community with their remarkable contributions.

Females in Leadership: Insights from VNSW Board Member Jovy Gill

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s important to hear from the women who’ve paved their own paths in business and high-performance sport. We start by highlighting Jovy Gill, a current board member of VNSW. Jovy Gill is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the technology sector, holding significant roles at Fortune 500 companies. Her career reflects a dedication to innovation and leadership across diverse industries. When asked about the skills that have contributed to her success, Jovy shared:

"My success largely stems from my ability to develop strategic plans and execute them efficiently and effectively, ensuring both short- and long-term goals are met. This approach, enhanced by my capacity for resilience and a deep sense of empathy, strengthens my leadership across the various organisations I serve. Whether it's pushing boundaries in technology marketing, launching a clean energy startup, or contributing to a sports organisation, these skills help me forge insightful strategies, nurture strong networks, and engage stakeholders productively. These efforts have guided me along a path that is both successful and deeply gratifying."

As a board member, we asked Jovy what it means to her to be a female in a leadership role within our sport:

"I embrace my role as a female leader at Volleyball NSW as an opportunity to share my unique perspective and experiences. Although I am not an athlete, having a daughter and son who are both volleyball players allows me to not only contribute my professional and leadership skills but also advocate strongly for the volleyball community I cherish. I celebrate the organisation's progress towards promoting diversity and inclusion at all levels of the sport. Holding this position is a great honour, and I approach it with deep care, aiming to lead by example and highlight the invaluable contributions of diverse leadership. My hope for the future is that participation and leadership roles are awarded based on merit, regardless of gender, culture, association or background."

As a sport, we continuously strive to grow and evolve. From an organizational perspective, we are always looking for ways to increase engagement, participation, and opportunities for everyone in our community to enjoy volleyball. When asked about the challenges our sport faces in accelerating the growth of women within our sport, she shared:

"Advancing the growth of women in sports from a board member's perspective goes beyond increasing roles like coaching, refereeing, and management. It’s crucial to integrate diversity as a core principle that not only enhances decision-making but also improves performance. The major challenges include dismantling entrenched biases and addressing structural inequalities within the sports industry. This effort demands patience, persistence, and a deep commitment from organisations to challenge and redefine traditional norms and practices. We must support these changes with strategic initiatives and policies that promote inclusion and ensure equal opportunities for women and other underserved minorities at all levels."

As an organization, VNSW remains committed to creating opportunities for all, especially for women, to become more involved in every aspect of the sport.

Finally, we asked Jovy to share her advice for other females looking to pursue careers in business or high-performance sport. She offered the following empowering words:

"My advice is to dream big and confidently navigate your path with curiosity. Whether in business or sports, you will encounter many challenges; treat each as a stepping stone to greater success. Surround yourself with mentors and peers who challenge you and offer support. Commit to the pursuit of perpetual learning. Stay true to your values, use your voice to influence change, and ensure your actions have a positive impact. Remember, life is not a zero-sum game- be the rising tide that lifts all boats."

Jovy’s advice is a powerful reminder that success is not just about personal triumph—it’s about lifting others along the way, too. Her leadership exemplifies the empowerment of women in both business and sport.