"From Hoop Dreams to Track Triumphs: The Impact of Girls on Track in Australia"

Frequently, I find myself fielding inquiries about the evolution of the Girls on Track program and the factors propelling its growing success. If we've engaged in conversation before, you're likely aware of my fervent enthusiasm for the program and its capacity to empower girls and young women into the motorsport and automotive industry. A thought that often tickles my curiosity though is how my life might have taken a different dribble if a similar program (imagine, basketball!) had existed back home in India, where I spent my formative years dodging textbooks and daydreaming about slam-dunks?

In a twist of fate (or perhaps just my luck), my childhood dreams revolved around shooting hoops in the NBA alongside giants like Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. The idea of playing in the WNBA never crossed my mind, given its then-lack of popularity, televised coverage, and allure. Naturally, my role models were towering men, figures I aspired to emulate. Yet, for myriad reasons, including the seemingly insurmountable hurdle of how a woman could possibly break into a male-dominated league, my hoop dreams remained just that - dreams. Nevertheless, basketball has always held a special place in my heart. Through my travels - from Melbourne to Dubai, Sydney to Hobart - I've been fortunate enough to keep my passion for sport alive through my work. Turns out, the love for sports knows no borders, much like my ever-expanding waistline at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

For the past decade, my mission has been to spread the joy of sports far and wide. Because let's face it, sports is about way more than just the competition unfolding on the field, court, or track. It's about forging communities, collecting unforgettable experiences, riding the rollercoaster of emotions, fostering engagement, and ultimately, uniting people from all walks of life. Being part of the Girls on Track program has been an absolute honour, affording me the chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of girls and young women striving to realise their dreams in motorsport and the automotive industry.

Back to the beginning

Let's rewind to 2021, when I embarked on the Girls on Track program gathering 30-40 school girls aged 8-18 years to our events - five in total. These gatherings served as gateways into the exhilarating world of motorsport, featuring a smorgasbord of engaging activities and workshops. From STEM explorations to media workshops, pitstop challenges to fitness and reaction tests. At the heart of it all were our eight remarkable 'Ambassadors', who served as the program's shining stars, wholeheartedly dedicated to its delivery. Guided by the mantra, 'you can't be what you can't see', these inspiring women attended and delivered our events.?

What we have achieved

Fast forward to today, and taking a glance at our achievements in 2023, here's a snapshot of what we've accomplished:

• The program has expanded into three distinct phases blossoming from 300 to 1,200+ participants annually.?
• We orchestrated a whopping 21 events spanning the breadth of Australia, with each state and territory playing host to at least one event.
• Our team has swelled to 35 members nationwide, each bringing decades of diverse experience from various career paths to better nurture and guide our participants.
• We've solidified partnerships with corporate sponsors, securing vital investments to fuel the program's growth and development.
• Joining forces with esteemed international and local teams like Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, Triple Eight and PremiAir Racing , we've enriched our 'Pathways' events, granting participants unprecedented access to team personnel and behind-the-scenes glimpses into their garages during race meets.
• Hosting eight webinars featuring local and international luminaries has broadened participants' horizons, offering invaluable insights into the plethora of careers and opportunities within the motorsport industry.

Most significantly, our participants have embarked on remarkable journeys, officiating races, undertaking internships and work experiences, and securing part-time and full-time positions in esteemed organisations such as Triple Eight Race Engineering, Extreme E, Supercars, Porsche Cars Australia, Nissan Motors, Carsales, PWR, and beyond.

Eager to uncover the reasons for our success??Here’s a glimpse into the key elements that have propelled our program to new heights:?

Listen, Observe, Act

It may sound like a simple recipe, and in many ways, it is. During the initial 4-6 months, I rolled up my sleeves and immersed myself in the program's delivery. I became a keen observer, soaking in insights from every angle. From chatting with participants, ambassadors, parents, sponsors, and beyond, I sought to grasp their perspectives intimately. Questions like why a 16-year-old chose to attend, what aspirations fueled an ambassador's dedication, what parents hoped their daughters would glean from the experience, and how we could elevate sponsor visibility became my compass. But perhaps the most impactful query, my personal favorite, was, "What support do you wish you had as an ambassador to propel your growth and career in the industry?"?

These ongoing conversations, still a cornerstone of my role, have empowered us to craft experiences tailored not only to meet but to exceed participant needs, fostering their growth and development. Additionally, they've fostered a deeper sense of engagement and commitment within our team.

Navigating constraints

Let's not sugarcoat it, we can't deliver on all the ideas, suggestions and recommendations we work on and/or provided to us - limitations are inevitable. Whether it's resource scarcity, funding hurdles, or other challenges, we've faced our fair share. However, rather than succumbing to these constraints, we've embraced them as catalysts for innovation. Within these parameters, we've forged pathways to growth and action, maximizing every opportunity at our disposal.

In essence, our success isn't born from limitless resources or smooth sailing; it's the product of diligent listening, adaptive action, and unyielding determination to thrive despite the odds stacked against us.

Our team and the importance of community?

Since taking on my role, I've adopted a collaborative approach with the Girls on Track Ambassadors, ensuring they're integral to our program's evolution. When we’re all singing from the same hymn sheet and chasing the same checkered flag, we’re able to deliver consistent messages and experiences at our events. With decades of industry know-how, positivity, and a touch of flair, our Ambassadors create a welcoming and inclusive space for the girls.

Over the past three years, what has truly stood out is the remarkable influx of women - each possessing an unwavering determination and a genuine desire to pay it forward to the younger generation, to offer support, and to facilitate their journey to success. Identifying these exceptional individuals (i.e., Girls on Track Champions), bringing them together, and aligning our efforts towards our shared mission of inspiring, empowering, and connecting has been an immensely gratifying endeavor. In doing so, we haven't just cultivated a vibrant community for girls and young women; we've also fostered a supportive network for professionals within the sport. For women in motorsport, who previously lacked such a community and cheering squad, our program has filled a crucial void, carving out a niche space where camaraderie thrives and solidarity reigns supreme.

One key factor in creating the community? The accessibility of the Girls on Track team. Participants attending our events not only engage with our Ambassadors but also mingle with an all-star line up of Champions and industry pros too.?

Think about the ‘what next’

As programs mature, they must evolve, expand, and above all, maintain participant engagement. By dividing Girls on Track into two distinct programs - Inspire and Pathways - we've been able to tailor our offerings to different age groups, ensuring each participant receives a unique and impactful experience.

• Inspire (targeting 8-15 year-olds) serves as our educational and awareness arm, still catering primarily to schools but now open to individuals as well.
• Meanwhile, our Pathways events (catering to 15-22 year-olds) are for those interested in motorsport and automotive careers, offering insights into various roles, skill-building tips, networking opportunities with industry professionals, and more.?

'Empower' provides internships within the Girls on Track community, partnering with organizations like MaD Garage and Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, Bosch Motorsport, to offer real-world experiences. Looking ahead, we’re working on introducing a STEM-focused program aligning with a school's curriculum that will allow us to reach a larger number of children across the country.?

Capitalizing on the biggest event on Australian shores?

The Formula One Australian Grand Prix, Australia's premier racing event boasting record-breaking audiences year after year (thanks in part to Drive to Survive post-COVID), presented an unmissable opportunity that we simply couldn't ignore.

Recognizing its potential, we seized the moment to host a bespoke event - Girls on Track Career Development and Mentoring- tailored for those committed to pursuing careers in the motorsport and automotive industries. Our aim was twofold: to elevate our program's profile both locally and internationally and to offer participants an unparalleled experience working alongside F1 teams, all while leveraging the event as a catalyst to drive participation in our programs nationwide.

But our commitment to nurturing talent didn't end there. To further cultivate this initiative:

• Each team member in attendance handpicked a mentee for a year-long mentoring relationship, providing vital support through the highs and lows of their journey.
• Partnering with the Stake F1 team, we offered two participants a coveted five-day work placement during the team's Australian visit - an extraordinary opportunity for hands-on learning.

The event's growing popularity is undeniable, with 160 applicants in 2022, 595 in 2023, and 265 in 2024 - a testament to its allure. While we couldn't accommodate everyone, this influx of interest served as a valuable pipeline into our pathways events held throughout the year. From humble beginnings of 15-20 attendees, our pathways events now attract 50-65 participants, showcasing the tangible impact of our Grand Prix initiative on program growth and engagement.

So what’s next for us?

Well, the sky's the limit, really. We're constantly evolving and expanding, with new programs in the pipeline and partnerships on the horizon. Like every Mario Kart game though where we’ll have banana peels and blue shells thrown our way, it only makes us stronger and more determined to keep pursuing. One thing's for sure: the girl and young women are here to stay. When it comes to our mission of empowering this group, there is no finish line. So buckle up, because we are just getting started. Together we can break down barriers, defy stereotypes, and pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse motorsport and automotive industry.