A new competition aiming to showcase the skills and strength of Australian sportswomen has won the backing of some of the nation's leading female athletes.
Women Sport Australia (WSA), the advocacy body for women in sport, has launched #WISPAA - Women in Sport Photo Action Awards - to generate greater recognition of female athleticism.
And some of the biggest names in women's sport have added their considerable muscle to support the project that offers prizes for the best images of female athletes in action.
Olympic and three-time world swimming champion Bronte Campbell says women in sport are gladiators, not smiling fitness models.
"#WISPAA is a great opportunity to look at female athletes and how incredibly fit, tough, strong, flexible and athletic they are," she said.
Nine-time world canoe slalom champion Jess Fox says the female stereotype for too many years was to be slim and beautiful.
"That stereotype needs to change. Strong, fit women are beautiful," she said.
Seven-time world surfing champion Steph Gilmore said: "Now more than ever, we are in a time where we need to see more images of strong, elegant, courageous women."
WSA Communications Director Louise Evans said WSA was proud so many great female athletes were getting behind #WISPAA.
Other big names to support the competition include soccer star Sam Kerr, cricketer Alyssa Healy, golfer Minjee Lee, Australian netball captain Caitlin Bassett and Western Bulldogs AFLW captain Katie Brennan.
"We want to help increase the visibility of sportswomen in the media and the public and help ensure female athletes are portrayed as tough, fit competitors, role models, heroes and leaders," Ms Evans said.
#WISPAA has two award categories supported by Nikon - one for professional photographers and one for amateur photographers - who can submit up to three photos of Australian sportswomen in action to the official website www.wispaa.com.au before April 30 this year.
Australian Associated Press
