Before Hera Mag launches this Friday, meet the woman our publication is named after — and learn how her spirit is alive and well in Australia today!
Hera was the ancient Greek goddess of women, marriage and family, who lends her name to the earliest women’s sporting event ever recorded.
Dated as early as the 6th century BC, the Heraean Games predated any men’s events held at Olympia. Centuries later, the Olympics were modelled on the Heraean Games, despite women being banned under penalty of death from competing in or viewing Olympic events.
Two and a half millennia down the track and women have made great strides in the field of athletics — although, even in 21st-century Australia, women’s sport remains under-represented and under-appreciated.
In modern society, media is our mirror. In sport, this mirror is shattered. Mainstream sports media tells the stories of men, not women.
An Australian Sports Commission report released last month revealed that women’s sport makes up less than 10 per cent of television sports coverage … are you concerned about what you’re missing?
From the grassroots right up to the elite level, there is an untapped well of untold stories about women and sport: incredible athletes, unrivalled passion, fascinating characters, nail-biting matches, and triumph over adversity.
Hera Magazine is going to shine a light on these stories, bringing you interviews, news and features on the diverse and exciting world of women and sport in Australia.
Meet our team of seven dedicated contributors here, and stand by for our launch this Friday!
Image credit: flickr.com/creativecommons
Hera Magazine 