On Monday 15th September, Our Watch, Australia’s leader in the primary prevention of violence against women, hosted the Play Your Way webinar - an online event that celebrated the positive experiences of women and girls in sport. The webinar featured two insightful panel discussions: one with professional female athletes sharing their journeys, and another with sporting administrators exploring the systems that supported inclusive participation across the sector.
Among the panellists was Rebekah Yeow, True Sport Project Officer at SportWest, who offered a powerful perspective on how sport had served as a platform for cultural change, inclusion, and community connection.
During the second panel session, Rebekah joined other sporting administrators from around Australia to discuss how systems within sport can support positive participation and drive meaningful change. She spoke about SportWest’s role as the peak body for sport in Western Australia, representing over 150 member organisations and 5,500 clubs. From this vantage point, she highlighted how sport can influence culture, challenge norms, and promote safety, inclusion, and gender equality.
Why Sport? A Personal Journey
Rebekah’s passion for sport began early. Like many Australians, she grew up playing sport and being active, but one moment stood out - the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. “It showed me that sport is about more than competition - it’s a powerful connector that can unite people across cultures and backgrounds.” she shared.
While elite competition wasn’t her path, the sense of community and teamwork drew her in. “It wasn’t always about winning. I just loved playing sport with my friends and the feeling of working together as a team knowing we gave it our best shot.”
These early experiences shaped her career, driving her commitment to ensure everyone - regardless of background - could access the same sense of belonging and connection through sport.
Sport as a Driver of Cultural Change
As a leader at SportWest, Rebekah had a bird’s-eye view of the sector. SportWest represented over 150 member organisations and 5,500 clubs across Western Australia, and was actively involved in initiatives that extended beyond participation.
“Sport shapes culture, builds leadership, and has a deep impact on communities.” Rebekah explained. Through programs like True Sport and the Women of Sport Emerging Leaders Program, SportWest helped clubs address off-field challenges such as mental health, sideline behaviour, child safeguarding, and respectful relationships.
By partnering with experts like Starick for their True Sport Respectful Relationships Initiative, SportWest co-designed resources and workshops that empowered clubs to foster safe, inclusive environments and respond to issues like family and domestic violence.
“Coaches and senior players can become powerful role models, setting standards for behaviour both on and off the field,” Rebekah said. “When clubs engaged in FDV awareness initiatives, we often saw a cultural shift—from silence or stigma to open conversations about respect, safety, and accountability.”
Rebekah also represents SportWest on the Our Watch Sport Professionals Community of Practice, a national initiative designed to support professionals working on gender equality and the prevention of violence in elite sporting environments, including national sporting organisations and professional clubs and teams.
A Vision for the Future
When asked what one change she would have made with a magic wand, Rebekah envisioned a sporting ecosystem where safety, inclusion, and equity were non-negotiable.
“That meant every sport, club, coach, and committee member was equipped with the tools and mindset to foster inclusive practices. It meant diverse representation at every level, and systems that actively broke down barriers for women and girls.”
Her vision was clear: sport should reflect the communities it served, and gender equality should be the norm - not the exception.
A big congratulations to Rebekah for being an outstanding panellist and showcasing the impactful work SportWest is leading on a national scale!
