On Thursday (21st May) schoolgirls' from Wagga and surrounding towns were given the opportunity to meet and be inspired by female athletes who have reached sporting excellence in their chosen sport.   

Stars that attended the breakfast included: Elizabeth Brett - played volleyball for Australia at the Sydney Olympics, Sami Kennedy - Australian Skier, Karen Stuart - former player and current coach of women's Australian Rugby League team, Vicki Watson - Masters Swimming, Susie Docker - underwater hockey and from the Riverina Jacqueline Murphy -Netball, Lara Wood - Swimmer from Hay, and the cricketing twins Alex and Kate Blackwell.

The female athletes sat with the schoolgirls throughout the morning and shared stories and tips over their breakfast. Vice-captain of the Australian women's Alex Blackwell (pictured in blue vest) was happy to be sharing her sporting stories, especially in her home region.

"It's great to be back in the Riverina, being at a breakfast likes this it's an opportunity for the girls to meet some role models. And I was a student at one of these breakfasts years ago so now I am one of the athletes" she said.

The regional breakfast is an initiative of Womensport and Recreation NSW and President Dr Imke Fischer is hoping more young girls realise there are pathways for them in sport despite the gap between men and women's sport in the media and with salaries.

"I think there is an enormous gap, whether we are talking about training opportunities, access to venues. Girls don't have access to all sports which are available to the guys.

"we are trying are trying to encourage girls and women to take part in sport, we are working on getting better coverage for females in the media and we try to convince more sporting organisations to include women" said Fischer.

Click below to hear more from Alex Blackwell and Dr Imke Fischer and other guests at the breakfast.