Melbourne Storm marked its second Women of Storm event with the announcement of its female No.1 ticketholder.
Speaking at the Women of Storm workshop at AAMI Park, Storm CEO Justin Rodski announced Victorian Government Minister, Gabrielle Williams, had accepted the offer to join the Storm Family in the role.
“We are thrilled to have Gabrielle join the Storm Family as our female No.1 ticketholder,” Rodski said.
“We have been talking with Gabrielle for some time about the opportunity and to finally welcome her formally to the role is exciting for the club.
It is fitting that on the day we bring the Storm family together to consider ways to make our community more inclusive and strive for gender equality that we welcome Minister Williams as our female No.1 ticketholder
Justin Rodski CEO, Melbourne Storm
“The strength of our club comes from the broad range of people who support us, including our members, fans and corporate and government partners.
“Everyone has a role to play in bringing ideas and passion that to help us grow and remain successful on and off the field.”
Minister Williams becomes the second female No.1 ticketholder following in the footsteps of Julia Gillard over a decade ago.
Minister Williams is the current Victorian Government Minister for Mental Health and Treaty and First Peoples. She is the former Minister for Women and Prevention of Family Violence, has previously worked as a lawyer and project manager and has served as a director of a not-for-profit disability sport organisation.
Minister Williams is a passionate advocate for equity and social inclusion and is proud to be a member of Victoria’s first ever gender-equal cabinet.
She is committed to driving an important reform agenda to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians, women and families across Victoria.
"I'm thrilled to be Melbourne Storm's female No.1 ticketholder and extend my thanks to the club for this honour,” Ms Williams said.
As a core part of our identity here in Victoria, we know that sporting clubs and professional leagues have a profound influence on the attitudes and behaviours that exist across our whole society, and I congratulate Melbourne Storm on its ongoing work towards gender equality and inclusivity.
Gabrielle Williams Minister for Mental Health and Treaty and First Peoples
Today’s workshop at AAMI Park was the second in a series of events being held as part of the newly established Women of Storm initiative.
Storm administrative staff and football staff and members of the Victorian rugby league community were invited to the breakfast workshop where Victorian Women’s Trust CEO, Mary Crooks, spoke about the importance of the partnership with Storm and Minister Williams provided the keynote address.
The workshop will help inform the direction of Women of Storm and provide the opportunity to share ideas on how the club can help celebrate and empower women to drive positive change, inclusiveness and equality.
Members and fans can also support the Women of Storm program by attending the inaugural cocktail event, hosted at the Glasshouse on Friday, 5 August.
This event will be held prior to Storm’s Round 21 game against Gold Coast Titans at AAMI Park as part of our Women in League celebrations. Tickets are available for $125 ($105 for members), here.
