Lachlan Payne with daughters Charlotte, Jimmi and Eadie

As the father of three girls, and a keen sports person, Lachlan Payne is well aware of the great leap forward that women’s sports have made over the last five years.

“My girls play rugby league, do nippers, swim and play oztag, but until now they haven’t really seen women getting equal billing in the media.”

Wanting to encourage local girls to keep being involved with sport throughout their lives, he’s organised a special event aimed at 8-16 year old girls to let them hear first hand from women who love sport.

“Sport has been a very positive influence in my life,” says Lachlan

“Inspiring the Next Gen is a night for them to learn and be inspired by some of the country’s best sports women.

“All of their journeys have been different, and I hope some of the things they say chime with the girls.

“I think they will have lessons for life, not just sport.”

He’s brought together an impressive panel of past and present sports women, including:

• Maddie Studdon – NSW and Aust Representative in the WNRL
• Casey Sablowski – three time Olympian and Commonwealth Games medalist in hockey
• Cassie Staples – Australian Rugby 7s member and Commonwealth Games medalist
• Bec Hamilton – a surf lifesaver chosen for the Australian Institute of Sport Talent Program for female sport executives
• Megan Anderson – former Australian Diamond, and Swifts Assistant Coach.

Lachlan, who organises the Nippers for Kiama Surf Life Saving Club, says he has had the idea brewing for a year or so, and is pleased it is coming to fruition.“Hearing from these women will be great for our local girls.

“It will be a chance for them to meet their heroes or take on new ones as role models.”
Any profits from the event will be donated to the RFS. At time of writing 80 tickets had already been sold, showing the idea has hit a chord.

Details: Friday, 7 February, 6-8pm. Go to trybooking.com and search for the event to buy tickets. All young kids need to be accompanied by an adult. Any profits to the RFS.