BLK AFL Sydney is very pleased to confirm that the Best and Fairest Medals for the BLK AFL Sydney Women’s Division One and Two competitions now have names which is a great move!
The Women’s Division One Medal will be known as the Mostyn Medal after Sam Mostyn while the Women’s Division Two Medal will be know as the James Medal after Karen James.
Below is a brief bio on both of these women which shows they are more than worthy recipients of such an honour.
Mostyn Medal – Women’s Division One
Sam Mostyn (pictured)
In 2005 Sam Mostyn was the first woman ever appointed to the AFL Commission.
Based in Sydney for the last 20 years, Sam holds a wealth of experience in business, policy, sustainability and corporate culture and has been a strong advocate for the AFL’s Respect & Responsibility and indigenous programs, and the growth in the participation of women across the game. Her experience encompasses a range of areas, including corporate and government affairs, human resources, business development, legal affairs, social inclusion and the arts.
Sam serves on numerous corporate and advisory boards including the board of the GO Foundation, supporting the philanthropic work of Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin. She has recently been named as a member on the AFL Indigenous Advisory group and has previously served as a board member and chair of AFL SportsReady.
Recently Sam has been a key player in working with the Richmond Football Club and the Australian Sports Commission on the research project, Gender Equity: What Will It Take To Be The Best. The end game here is for a major increase in the number of women working in the management and executive levels of the game.
To recognise Sam as the first female AFL Commissioner, and a champion of women’s participation throughout the football industry, it is with great pleasure that AFL Sydney names the medal for the Best & Fairest player in Division One of the AFL Sydney Women’s Competition the Mostyn Medal.
James Medal – Womens Division Two
Karen James
Karen has been a long-serving and inspirational figure in women’s football in Sydney, with her involvement being central to the evolution of the women’s competition and in taking it to where it is today.
Karen played for the UNSW/ES Stingrays from 2002 to 2005 and represented NSW at the National Championships in 2003 and 2004.
Karen’s greatest contribution has been as an administrator, serving for eight years on the Board of the Sydney Women’s AFL between 2002 and 2011, including three years as President. She was a member of the National Women's Advisory Council to the AFL between 2004 and2007 as well as being the convenor of the 2006 AFL Women’s National Championships in Sydney.
In 2006 Karen was nominated by the AFL NSW/ACT and the UNSW Sports Association for the NSW Minister’s Recognition Award for Contribution to Women in Sport and Recreation. In 2007 she was nominated by the AFL (NSW/ACT) for the Australian Sports Commission Sport Leadership Grant for Women.
The fact that women’s football in Sydney is now a two division competition run as part of the AFL Sydney structure is due to the hard work and commitment of people like Karen James in the formative years. AFL Sydney is delighted to recognise Karen’s contribution by naming the medal for the Best & Fairest player in Division Two of the AFL Sydney Women’s Competition the James Medal.
Last Modified on 27/04/2015 15:20
