Dirty Reds players Ash Mewburn and Pearl Rakete were both honoured at the 2021 Women in Business, Leadership and Sport Luncheon on Thursday 16 December.
Bookending the complete history of Brumbies Super W so far, Ash was presented with her cap as one of the 23 original Super W Brumbies, while Pearl Rakete took place in the “Champions of Change” panel as a 2021 debutante.
In addition to being an OG Women’s Brumbies player, Ash is also an original Dirty Reds Women’s player and one of the team’s inaugural coaches.
In her biography for the event, Pearl was described as carving a reputation as a hard-hitting loose forward, strong over the ball at the breakdown, with a natural ability to read the game and an important member of the 2022 team.
“To be apart of an event that was focused on the support and growth of Women in sport had me feeling very privileged,” Pearl said.
“Privileged because I know that I am contributing to paving the way for young women coming up – the future.”
The annual uncheon aims to raise valuable funds for ACT and Southern NSW rugby programs such as Brumbies Women, the Brumbies Women’s Academy and Girls Try Rugby Days, while celebrating female athletes and women in leadership roles in Business and Sport.
This year’s event was emceed by Anne-Marie Perret, a Director of ACT and Southern NSW Rugby Union with Welcome to Country performed by Brumbies Rugby First Nations Advisory Committee Member, Michele Abel.
Other speakers were Mathew Nobbs, who delivered the Chairman’s welcome, and key note speaker, Paralympian Nikki Ayers.
The original 23 Brumbies Super W players were then presented with their caps before Tabcorp Brumbies Head Coach Don Hawke led a question-and-answer session.
The Women of Brumbies session followed, recognising those who have had an outstanding and direct influence on the Brumbies current culture.
The final session was a panel discussion labelled “Champions of change” hosted by Bronwyn Fagan and including Tabcorp Brumbies 2021 debutante player Pearl Rakete, Paralympian Nikki Ayers, Olympic Gold Medalist, Petria Thomas OAM, Comedian Chris Ryan and Tabcorp Brumbies 2021 Captain Michaela Leonard.
Brumbies CEO Phil Thomson noted that this year Brumbies W had 11 debutantes in their total squad of 27 players and that these players came from across the catchment area and beyond, including players from Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Sydney, Narromine, Newcastle and Goulburn.
“The development and promotion of local talent from Canberra and the surrounding region has been a hallmark of Brumbies since our inception in 1996,” Mr Thomson said.
“The commitment from our girls is nothing short of extraordinary.”
