SALLY PHILLIPS: "There is a gap in my life if I'm not doing something to make a difference"

Meet one of our extraordinary Board Directors at Athletes For Hope Australia, Sally Phillips. After an illustrious sporting career in basketball culminating in national representation with the Opals, Sally has dedicated her professional career to making a difference in the organisations she works for, and the communities she lives and works within. In this special Athlete Spotlight, Sally shares how community contribution has always played an important role in her life, and how the intersection of her athlete and professional journey has led to her role as a Director with AFHA.

Sally with Cerys Liley, rugby union athlete and Athletes For Hope Australia Workshop participant.

Tell us about yourself, based on the most important aspects of your identity to you.

I was raised by my Mum in a single parent environment and one lesson Mum taught me that has always stuck with me is to treat others the way I would like to be treated, so I endeavour to inject kindness into everything I do. From the interactions I have with the people I love most in life - my family and friends, through to work colleagues, through to someone who might serve me in a shop, through to a stranger I might pass on a walk, I always try to show up in a kind, caring and respectful way. I also endeavour to be a strong accomplice and advocate with motivation to accelerate opportunities for those from diverse communities and backgrounds, driving societal equality with integrity, belonging, challenge and care. I recognise all the situations in life where I bring a level of privilege and try to contribute to this world of ours being a place where every person and every animal can live happily and dream big!

When did you realise that you could play a role in contributing to the causes, charities or communities that matter most to you?

I think I've always carried an awareness that I was a person that would stand up for others, ask questions and demand fairness - feeling like I was always the one in school challenging convention and trying to make a difference. My first memories go back to primary school days where I was always fighting with the boys in the school yard to let me join them in playing footy or cricket, demanding the same opportunities as the boys, which as you can imagine being a young girl in a catholic school environment in the early 80's wasn't a simple task. Friday afternoon inter-school sport saw the boys head off to footy and girls to netball - our only choice. Being good at sport, the boys quickly figured out that I had the potential to be an asset, however when they knocked on my Mum's door asking if I could join the local team the response was a firm no. I've always been devastated that I never had the chance to play AFL footy. Fast forward into my years spent playing in the WNBL and the pay equity issues, lack of media coverage, lack of commercial support; gender equity has always been something I've been passionate about and continue to try and shift the needle on.

Outside of sport I became heavily involved in fundraising for the Cancer Council Victoria following my best friend Kylie's Mum Gwen being diagnosed with breast cancer. My Mum Beryl and Mother-In-Law Marg would also be diagnosed in the years to follow, along with another of my best friends Di, and many other women in my community. For five years (2007 - 2012) I actively fundraised for the Cancer Council Victoria and in 2011 I was honoured to have funds raised be directly channelled into a research grant that was named in honour of Gwen who had sadly passed away. The money raised helped fund the incredible work of Professor David Botwell and Dr. Andreas Moller, who were researching the causes of breast cancer in the adult population. Across the five years of active fundraising I raised over $20,000 by coordinating annual Girls Night In events and Relay for Life teams, which we named Team Nash, in honour of my friend Di Nash.

I was also always very actively involved in fundraising throughout the years my daughters were at school, sitting on the Parents and Friends committee and Education Board through Primary School years and the School College Council through High School. One of the highlights at Primary School was leading the organisation of a Twilight Market - a massive undertaking but so rewarding to fill the school full of market stalls and raise money for important initiatives.

What causes are you passionate about?

This is such a difficult question to answer as I feel passionate about so many different causes. I have to try and narrow my vision sometimes or else I end up donating to everyone!

Describe the way/s in which you contribute to these causes, charities or communities, and why you have chosen to contribute in this way?

Right now our family are sponsoring a puppy through Seeing Eye Dogs Vision Australia. Winter and her pack are now 10-months old and we are also now contributing towards Posy's pack. Going to Winter's Graduation is something I cannot wait to do! I was inspired to sponsor a puppy after meeting Katie Kelly OAM OLY - she left such an indelible mark on me that I wanted to try and make a difference in her honour. I always endeavour to support Edgar's Mission when I can, along with Australian Working Dog Rescue and The Owl and The PussyCat Sanctuary whenever they need a helping hand with vet bills. In recent times we also never miss buying our Fight MND beanie and I regularly head off to my local Red Cross Blood Bank to donate blood – you can't beat the feeling of helping to save lives.

What have you learnt about the causes, charities and/or communities that you have been supporting?

For me personally there is a gap in my life if I'm not doing something to make a difference. Some of my efforts have been big, some are small, but I'll never stop trying to make a difference, it is what completes me. I have to be very mindful that I can't be all things to all people, and that those closest to home need me too - I need to get the balance right. I always hope that I am setting a good example for my daughters, just like my Mum did for me. At a time when it is hard to feel like you can pinpoint something in the world that could use a helping hand - where do you even start? My advice is to follow your heart!

What have you learnt about the causes, charities and/or communities that you have been supporting?

There are many things to love about my journey so far! From days in school yard making the boys let me play footy to fundraising at school, to giving time and energy to committees and boards, to honouring my friend Kylie's Mum Gwen, my friend Di and my own Mum by raising money for cancer research, through to sponsoring my seeing eye puppies, regularly donating blood and thethe $25 I just donated to The Owl and PussyCat Farm Animal Sanctuary to help them save a sick goat named Cappuccino - big or small, it's been a contribution that I can only hope has made a difference.

I love the feeling of selflessness that comes with contributing to your community too!

This life is bigger than me and I enjoy doing things for others, without any of the spotlight being on me. It's a massive shift from athlete life;we can be quite selfish in our pursuits when striving to be the best athlete we can be, and to be honest something just never felt quite right throughout that time in my life. I could never quite explain it until now; where for the first time in my life, which sounds strange to say at 51, I feel like the most authentic version of myself now. What brings me joy and happiness is doing good for others. I no longer chase the high of the pat on the back, the recognition that comes with being an elite athlete. I almost feel a sense of relief that I don't matter, what matters now is the difference I can make and the joy that comes from shining the spotlight onto others, the next generation of inspiring young people.

Sally represented the Opals, Australia's women's basketball team.

What is your advice to athletes across all levels of sports who are looking to contribute to the causes, charities or communities they are passionate about?

Having experienced the high-performance pathway as an athlete I understand the importance of a holistic approach to athlete life and recognise that sustained success can be fuelled by moments when you are making a difference away from competition.

Taking opportunities to participate in meaningful community engagements and exploring a new purpose can provide so many benefits - some examples, helping make a difference in people’s lives, developing personal and professional skills (ie: public speaking, effective communication, promoting personal brand), improving personal wellbeing and a greater sense of purpose outside a sporting career as well as developing personal connections with local communities and networking opportunities.

Athletes of today have so many ways that they can positively use their platforms to influence change and inspire others to do the same, and that is what excites me about becoming a Director with AFHA. I know that there are many athletes out there

who want to give back but perhaps don't know where to start. Athletes young or old, current or retired like me, have the power to break down barriers and bring people together. Sport has the power to influence community and in very simple terms athletes have the opportunity to change the game for the not-for-profits and causes that matter most to them by driving social impact.