Mitchell, Ann (1945 - )

Ann Mitchell has had a long association with women's cricket as a player (state and national level), manager, coach, journalist, and administrator. She contributes regularly to cricket journals and has provided commentary for Sydney radio and ABC television.

She has also had a long association with women's university sport, once again as a player and administrator. Most recently, as Executive Director of Sydney University Women’s Sport and Deputy Director Sydney University Sport, Mitchell has made a significant contribution to the status of women in sport, particularly by promoting gender equity in university sport. Over her lengthy career as a volunteer and employee in the sport industry, she has been instrumental in developing opportunities for women in university sports as well as non-playing roles including administration, coaching and sports medicine.

Through her representation on numerous sports boards including Women’s Cricket Australia, International Women’s Cricket Council and Australian University Sport, Ms Mitchell has raised the profile of women’s sport in the community.

In 2005, Mitchell was awarded the Margaret Pewtress Memorial category of the 2005 Ausport Awards for developing and promoting opportunities for women in sport. She was praised for having ‘made a significant contribution to the status of women in sport, particularly by promoting gender equity in university sport’. In August 2006, as Co-ordinator of the Women in Sport Media Group, Mitchell played an active role in the Inquiry into women in sport and recreation in Australia. Today, Sydney University offers the Ann Mitchell award for Most Outstanding Performance at Australian University Games or Australian University Championships. Mitchell was awarded the OAM in 1990.

She was executive director of Sydney University Women's Sport Association in 2002 when members agreed to combine with the men at the Sydney University Sports Union to create a new body called Sydney University Sport.She said tta the , 'some may have had regrets [about the decision] but combining resources was seen as the best way forward.'

Director/s

• Sydney University Women's Sports Association (1910 - )

Membership

• Women's Cricket Australia (1995 - 2003)

  Anne Mitchell is a Life Member of Women's Cricket Australia

Online Resources

• O'Regan, Mick, 'Women's Sport: Underpaid, underrated and under the radar', in The Sports Factor, ABC Radio National, Transcript of broadcast, 11 August 2006, http://www.abc.net.au/rn/sportsfactor/stories/2006. [ Details... ]

See also

• Magnay, Jacquelin, 'Women deserve sporting chance: Ellis', Sydney Morning Herald, 3 August 2006, http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport. [ Details... ]