Diana Matheson, two-time Olympic bronze medalist and former professional soccer player, will deliver the keynote address at the University of Georgia’s annual conference. HeForShe Gender Equality Event this month.
Matheson, perhaps best known for scoring the winning goal in the bronze medal match at the 2012 London Olympics, is also the co-founder of Project 8an initiative aimed at helping launch the first professional women’s soccer league in Canada.
During her keynote address, Matheson will discuss the gender equity challenges female athletes face in professional sports. This is a hot topic, as Canada’s women’s soccer team is currently protesting their salary compared to that of the men’s national team.
“Gender equity is important in sports because sports is so much more than just playing a game or running a race,” Matheson said. “We know that participation in sport is linked to strong academic performance, health and well-being, confidence and leadership, and business success. Equity in sports is about making those same opportunities for success in life and in sports more accessible to 50 percent of our population.
Matheson will also discuss his own personal story of resilience and overcoming adversity.
“After winning a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics, injuries that threatened to keep me out of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada were among the lowest points of my career ” said Matheson.
Organized by U of G Gordon S. Lang School of Business and EconomicsTHE Engineering school within College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and Gryphon football, the annual HeForShe event also includes a Community Impact Award, which recognizes a local business’s efforts to improve gender equality, and scholarships for students for their leadership.
The HeForShe event at U of G will take place March 22 at 7 p.m. Registration and tickets are free but limited.
Inclusive language workshop
On March 9, a workshop at the Gryphon Football Pavilion will discuss the nuances of gender identity, inclusiveness and allyship. The guided discussion is open to the entire University of Georgia community and will be moderated by University of Georgia Professor Caleb Hardwood. sexual and gender diversity advisor.
The workshop is hosted by the John F. Wood Center for Business and Student Enterprise at Lang. Register here.
Students to help launch professional football league
U of G students will have a unique opportunity to present innovation ideas to help her and Matheson Project 8 plans the launch of the first professional women’s soccer league in Canada. Hosted by the Lang School and its Sports Management Faculty, the pitch competition will take place on March 25 and will be open to all University of Georgia undergraduate students.
“This competition is a tremendous opportunity for any student interested in sports or business to use their creative minds and skills to support our country’s premier professional women’s soccer league,” said Dr. Anne PegoraroLang Chair in Sports Management.
Selected students will have the opportunity to present their ideas directly to Matheson.
The football league is expected to launch in 2025 with eight teams already signed up, including teams from Vancouver and Calgary.
Contact:
Scott Carter
[email protected]
