11 minute read
MODERN GIRLHOOD
Brianna. Age 15.
We have these games in which girls play in the boys’ team. I understand [that they are trying] to get more girls involved, but sometimes it seems like they are making a bit of a joke of us.
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I learnt not to take it by heart when someone says, ‘You must not be that good because you are a girl.’ I heard that a lot growing up, but I had to brush it off, and to prove myself… I guess.
It’s very difficult considering that when I play in boys’ teams people try to take it easy on me, and then they realise they shouldn’t have.
Tehya. Age 11.
Boys at my school always encourage girls to join them in the soccer field or basketball. But sometimes, if they get really upset they’ll say things like, ‘You throw or kick like a girl.’ [And I ask myself,] ‘Is that an insult or a good thing?’ Then, I remember I am a girl and it should not be taken as an insult.
Kaiyah. Age 14.
In your view, what is the hardest part of being a girl today?
The impossible standards that are set on girls growing up. And the double standards too: something that a boy can do is not acceptable for a female. And it’s hard to navigate that because you can never do everything right even though you want to.
And there’s so much pressure for girls to be perfect. But no one is perfect, so that’s really difficult.
What about behavioural stereotypes?
Girls are expected to be a lot more mature than boys. It’s like the saying, ‘Boys will be boys.’ And it shouldn’t be acceptable, because why should boys have the excuse of not being mature?
What do you think could be done to help break those stereotypes?
Can you describe the standard of perfection you encounter?
Girls get shamed if they are too skinny. They get shamed if they aren’t skinny. It’s this perfect balance in-between that you are never going to get. And it’s just impossible to get there. The first thing would be for people to see the problem. At the moment, a lot of people don’t see the problem. They ignore it and they go with what has been stereotyped in society for a very long time. And it’s considered normal, it’s considered ‘what it should be’. But it shouldn’t be.
So people need to realise the problem and start changing the way they think of the standards they set for girls and boys.
When I build up frustration or anger inside me, dancing really helps me express those emotions. It also helps me mentally because I can let everything out. And I know that when I’m feeling down dance will always be there.
— SPORT, HARD WORK & RESILIENCE —
Mekenzie. Age 11.
Three things I learnt through basketball? 1. Early is the best time to train. 2. Practice helps you get better. 3. Train with intensity.
What I love about being a ninja is that there is not really anything you can do wrong. I mean, there’s not a certain way of doing something, you just do it the way that works for you.
And also how it taught me to be determined. Because sometimes I really don’t want to do something but I do it because if there’s an obstacle in a competition, it doesn’t matter if you really don’t like it because you don’t have a choice.
Issy. Age 9.
What are the most valuable good habits you learnt through dancing?
One is critiquing myself [and knowing] when I’ve done something wrong and I need to do it again or if it’s good enough.
The second is when I know ‘enough is enough’. If I’m hurting myself mentally or physically or I’m pushing it too hard and I need to stop.
You have a great understanding of your boundaries. Is it a skill you always had, or something you learned from someone else?
I was definitely not always like that ... I’ve hurt myself multiple times — it’s knowing that it could happen again. And I probably learnt it as well from my coaches and my parents.
If you had to share the best lesson you’ve learned in how to stay strong and passionate, what would that be?
Keep moving, make mistakes, ‘fake it ‘til you make it’. There’s probably a million different ways to describe it, but no matter what you just need to keep on going. That’s my one motto. My mum is the first person who said that to me, and every time I think about it, I just feel better and stronger. Mentally and physically.
Malee. Age 8.
Muay Thai is a lot of fun. I like kicking, punching and that you get skills to defend yourself.
Cricket is definitely a mental game. It has [nurtured] my mental health, the way I think about things and how I develop my skills in everything.
For example, it’s helped me develop a sense of leadership at school. It has helped me with science and maths because there are angles when you are batting and bowling. And it has also taught me how to stay organised.
— TEAMWORK & SUPPORT —
Millie. Age 10.
What does ‘being strong’ mean to you?
Not just being strong physically but mentally. You can be really strong [physically] but what’s holding you back is your mindset. If you are competing against friends and all you want to do is win, that’s not having a strong mindset. [Strong] would be more like congratulating your friends, giving them tips. The mindset overpowers the [physical] strength.
And that’s the best part of being a ninja, you have so many supporters and so many people helping you. And they help you see another side of the obstacle that you don’t even realise.
Who are your main supporters?
My mum, my dad and my nanna’s support means a lot to me.
Since Dad is a ninja as well, he understands where I’m coming from. And he listens to what I say, all of my suggestions. My mum gives me awesome tips on how to improve. And my nanna is always helping me and cheering me on.
Kiara. Age 13.
If I don’t get something right I ask my teachers or friends for help. If I still don’t get it, I usually break it down and go by steps. And my friends will be there saying, ‘You’ve got this, you can do it!’ Your friends will always be there with you, no matter what.
Chloe. Age 10.
What inspires me to be better is watching my idols on the Ninja Warrior show. My favourite ninja is Olivia Vivian. She is one of the crowd favourites, and I want to be just like her.
I talk to her once or twice every two weeks. She helps me with things I’m having trouble with in my ninja and my gymnastics.
My coach has taught me my whole technique. That’s how I run. I learnt it from him. He always tells me to ‘keep on going’.
— SELF-IMAGE & PORTRAITS —
When I see my portrait, I always think ‘Oh my God, is that me?’ It feels like I’m a professional netballer. It’s really empowering.
When I take pictures they are usually not the best but when I look at [the portraits of my photoshoot] I feel very proud — because that’s me.
Issy. Age 9.
My take on being professional is that you can be professional, but you can also have fun. When I look at my photos, I see myself being professional and happy, and that just reminds me of how much I love what I do.
Kiara. Age 13.
I’m really happy I did the photoshoot because I felt I could express the person I want to be.
I feel it helped me become a stronger person and not be afraid.
I was expecting to hate the photos, just because I don’t like looking at images of myself.
But when I saw the first pose we did, I looked at it and thought, ‘I look beautiful.’ And the photoshoot made me so happy because I felt so beautiful and strong. I was not expecting that at all. It was amazing.
— PARENTS’ PERSPECTIVE —
Having two young girls who love a sport dominated by boys, I wanted to show them the confidence and power that comes from being a female within the sport.
I love their portraits. They capture the innocence and confidence of Mia and Indie, as well as their personality.
Cricket is something my daughters share and learn from their dad. It gives them so much joy. My husband was super proud when he saw the artwork as it is a little part of him in them as well.
Nicole, Mia and Indie’s mum.
Gymnastics is a huge part of what makes Tatum who she is. She loves the challenge involved in perfecting a skill and the satisfaction she feels when she knows that she’s finally mastered it. There has not been a day since she started that she hasn’t wanted to be doing it.
I love that her portraits capture her as she is — talented, strong, determined and passionate about what she loves doing.
Lorelle, Tatum’s mum.
Kenz’s portraits capture our daughter’s strong and determined personality, and her love for basketball perfectly.
Rachel, Mekenzie’s mum.
How was 2020 for Em? Like a roller coaster. The excitement of dance trips planned became such disappointment when they got cancelled due to COVID. Her lifeline of dancing stopped, schooling was difficult at home. She has struggled immensely to get back into life as she knew it. I wanted her to have this session to show her how strong and amazing she is.
She was [so] nervous on the day she nearly pulled out of the shoot, but Marina’s response was so comforting, it put Em at ease.
We love her photos. These art pieces are something she will have forever to remind her of the resilience she proved to have in 2020 to get through the year with [her] head just above water.
Mel, Emily’s mum.
Fencing is Mayuri’s passion. It teaches her values, discipline, respect and teamwork. And it allows her to connect with people of different cultures.
She works hard on perfecting her technical and tactical skills, and has had to sacrifice social interactions to be number one in her country and represent Australia.
When I see her portraits I think, ‘Hey, that’s my girl.’ They make me feel that all that blood, sweat and tears over the years from the family is worth it.
Lavinia, Mayuri’s mum.
Lauren (karateka), Sarah (climber).
Both portraits show strong, healthy, determined girls. It is important to me that my daughters can see themselves that way to remain like that. Having inner strength, persistent minds and healthy bodies will help them live life throughout the good and the bad times.
