Now in its second year, the 32 members of the senior women’s division of the La Perouse Panthers in south-central Sydney are gearing up for an exciting year of football, thanks to a growth in numbers and support from the local community, including WSP.
We recently provided the team with new polo shirts, training shirts and shorts and hoodies. The La Perouse Panthers’ coach, Akira Kelly, said that in addition to being practical, the uniforms have given the team a newfound sense of professionalism.
WSP has been involved from the very beginning when the team formed two years ago, and approached Matt Pellow, senior consultant Aboriginal Affairs and a member of our Indigenous Specialist Services Team to provide sponsorship support.
The team’s members are primarily Indigenous and span a range of ages and backgrounds. Describing the team as a family, Akira says that it provides a non-judgemental space where the women can also seek support for issues they are experiencing in their lives, such as mental health issues and domestic violence.
Aside from championing diversity and empowering women in the La Perouse area, the sponsorship has had an unexpected benefit with the following four team members now proud WSP employees:
- Akira Kelly, Graduate Communications and Engagement
- Sharna Little, Field Technician in our Environment team (Contaminated Lands)
- Terri Ann Kelly, Bid Administrator
- Iesha Duckett, Cadet Civil Technician
Akira explains that her employment with WSP has had a positive impact on her role with the La Perouse Panthers, “It has made me better at managing personalities and relationships.
“I’m able to put issues into perspective and it has made me better as a person.”
Matt says that sponsoring the La Perouse Panthers is more than supporting a sporting team, it is championing inclusion in the community.
“WSP has a holistic approach to creating thriving communities for everyone. From the local footy teams, we sponsor to the giant stadiums and infrastructure we design, WSP is there every step of the way.”
