Jona S. L.’s Post

  Last week the Reclink East Gippsland team joined #ThisGirlCan campaign to facilitate new opportunities for women and girls. The highlight of the week for me was the women’s skate session in Mallacoota, as I was lucky enough to join this activity as a participant – and experience the joy of Reclink through a different lens. Before the lesson, our group, ranging in ages from 20s to 50s, laughingly shared nerves and voiced fears through conversations and connections. United by this, we encouraged each other to step into the skatepark all protectively encased in the sport’s version of bubble wrap. What I noticed was that from the start, every participant contributed towards an inclusive, safe and encouraging space, hooting at a wobble that was overcome, or checking someone was ok when they did hit the deck. And every single participant celebrated an achievement – the more experienced skater dropped into the half pipe for the first time, while others were stoked to find their balance to roll around the park semi-confidently without holding onto the instructor for a full lap of the skatepark. After the session, I was buzzing, I couldn’t wait to describe to my children the thrill of rolling down the ramps that I was deadest against at the start of the lesson. Already there is talk of regular women’s skating catch-ups at the skatepark, and a new WhatsApp group chat has started which is extending new friendships. I’m in! The beauty of this session is that in just one-hour, Reclink helped to empower a group of women to see the skatepark not solely as a playground for children and men, but to own this space as a community gathering place for everyone – where inexperienced riders can have a go alongside the more experienced. What I realized is that since the bushfires, I haven’t put much time developing new skills just for me. But in trying something new, testing my fitness, coordination, and balance, building self-confidence and resilience to try again after a fall, being in an environment without judgement, all while smiling the whole time, has a long-lasting impact. And these outcomes are shared across Reclink programs, whatever the sport may be. This is part of what makes Reclink so powerful. In fact, these similar experiences are being shared by thousands of participants enjoying Reclink programs across the country every day, thanks to my amazing colleagues. A special shout-out to Yvonne Porter and the East Gippsland Shire Council for coordinating This Girl Can across the East Gippsland region, and to our funders for making our events possible. And thanks to the instructors from #AmpedSurf&SkateSkool for the encouragement we needed to see This Girl Can! #vichealth #thisgirlcan #reclink #reclinkaustralia #eastgippslandshirecouncil #VictorianGovernment #VicStateBushfireRecovery #DFFH #BlackSummerBushfireRecovery #EmergencyRecoveryVictoria

🌍 Today, on International Day for the Elimination of Racism, we are reminded of the importance of being actively anti-racism. At our skateboarding sessions, it's not just about perfecting tricks—it's about creating a safe space that values inclusivity, diversity and belonging. 🛹 Skateboarding is more than just a sport; it's a community. By instilling anti-racist values in our young skaters, we're not only fostering respect and empathy but also ensuring that our sessions remain welcoming and accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. 🚫 Racism has no place in our community. We believe in the power of skateboarding to bring people together, break down barriers, and build connections that transcend race, ethnicity, or nationality. 💪 So let's use this day as an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to anti-racism. Together, let's continue to create a skateboarding community where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. 🏙 As our young skaters grow and carry these values into their daily lives, they become agents of change in their neighborhoods and cities. They challenge stereotypes, break down barriers, and foster connections with those from different backgrounds, thus extending our impact beyond our sessions. 💡 In this way, our skateboarding community becomes a catalyst for broader societal transformation. By championing diversity and inclusion, we inspire others to do the same, creating a more tolerant, understanding, and equitable society for all. 💪 So let's continue to skate towards a future where racism has no place, where every person is valued and respected, and where our collective actions make a meaningful difference in the world. #EliminateRacism #CommunityImpact #InclusionForAll

Thank you, The Portugal News X WallridePT "(...) "Skateboarding, as a culture, has a significant democratizing factor for all human interactions in that context; which is based on a simple concept: falling hurts the same for everyone. Regardless of the complexity of tricks… pain, frustration, and the repetition of failure are universal experiences when someone starts and continues skateboarding. As a rule, these become relationships forged in perseverance, humility, and patience, which can only result in individuals focused on their shared humanity. This makes us, as a community, more predisposed to be sensitive to the struggles of those around us, whether in the context of tricks or daily life. WallRide aims to deepen these interactions, offering counselling, support, and protection to communities on the ground. In the case of WeAllRide, it's a natural step for our association, given the successful results of the model when applied to the underrepresented female skateboarding public. Beyond skateboarding, we want to make it clear that the skatepark is a place where everyone is welcome, especially those who feel excluded or mistreated in other physical or social spaces. Here at WallRide, everyone has a home," said Viriato Villas-Boas, president, and founder of the association. (...)" #SkateboardingCulture #InclusivityInSkateboarding #CommunityBuilding #SkateboardingForAll #SupportEachOther #CounselingForAll #SkateparkInclusion #SharedHumanity #PerseveranceMatters #BuildingConnections #SocialSupport #SkateboardingEmpower #DiversityInSkateboarding #CommunitySupport

🔴 Do yourself a favor. Watch the new 🔝 ad ➡ "Considering What?" I don't know about you, but this 140-second Channel 4 ad gave me chills. 🔴 Yes, you can make great long video ads. As long as you hide your brand and product behind the story, behind the people, behind something more important than your product or brand, you can produce a great long video ad. ➡ A research commissioned by Channel 4 showed that nearly 6️⃣0️⃣ percent of people said they watch the Paralympic Games to “see athletes overcoming their disabilities”. ➡ just 3️⃣7️⃣ percent say they watch the Paralympics for “exciting sporting competition”. ❌ Don't look at Paralympians overcoming their own weaknesses - look at as athletes who face the same forces as everyone in sport: gravity, friction, and time. ❌ Sport Doesn’t Care About Disability ❌ Gravity Doesn’t Care About Disability ❌ Friction Doesn’t Care About Disability ❌ Time Doesn’t Care About Disability ❌ Wind Doesn’t Care About Disability ❌ Heat Doesn’t Care About Disability ❌ Force Doesn’t Care About Disability ❌ Sport Doesn’t Care About Disability The creative agency behind the campaign: #4creative.

What do you think of this film by Apple? I’ve seen this kind of idea before. The one from Orange is way better. But this from Apple is a great example of how you can win a sporting moment without sponsoring it. Instead of pouring sponsorship dollars into Paralympics, they have focused on investing in accessible technology. Then they’ve made this beautiful film showcasing their tech, and what it means for every body. Releasing it days after the Olympics, and before the Paralympics. The beauty, the scale, the craft evident in the product and the ad, it all tells the story of a premium brand making life accessible for athletes. Sponsorship is one great way to show you care for a cause. Another way is to do things that further the cause.

Wheelchair basketball is a sport designed for athletes with physical disabilities that prevent running, jumping, and pivoting. The super competitive sport combines the rules of basketball and some elements adapted to the use of wheelchairs. Here are a few key facts about wheelchair basketball: 🏀 Origin: Wheelchair basketball originated in the aftermath of World War II, as a rehabilitation exercise for veterans who had suffered injuries. 🏀 The Rules: The fundamental rules and scoring are very similar to basketball. Two teams of five players aim to score the most points by shooting a ball into the opposing team's hoop. Dribbling, passing, and tactical plays are all key parts of the game. 🏀 The Wheelchair: Players use specially designed wheelchairs that are built to be swift and maneuverable. These wheelchairs typically have angled wheels for better stability and quick turning. 🏀 Classification System: Wheelchair basketball uses a classification system to ensure fair competition. Players are classified on a scale from 1.0 (most severe impairment) to 4.5 (least severe impairment). The total score of the five players on the court cannot exceed 14 points at any time. 🏀 Leagues and Tournaments: Wheelchair basketball is played at various levels, including recreational, national, and international competitions. It is also a mainstay of the Summer Paralympic Games. 🏀 Inclusive: The sport is inclusive, as people with and without disabilities can play together. It is a great way for athletes to develop fitness, agility, and teamwork skills. Wheelchair basketball has grown to be one of the major competitive sports for athletes with disabilities. It's an exciting, fast-paced game that has brought visibility and increased opportunities for athletes with disabilities.

When I started The Pen Project, my sole purpose was to become a voice for causes that are often overlooked. Today, I want to share a story of human spirit and strength that reflects the power of community. As a Public Relations Expert, I recently had the privilege to become a part of a first-of-its-kind event in India—a Skateathon for the hearing disabled. Ajay Shivlani's The Skate Academy - India The thrilling skating-on-the-road event hosted in Mumbai was made special with tech-enabled time chips for tracking speed measurement, which instilled excitement in the participants. It was a sight to watch as over 3000 Mumbaikars, including children, adults, skaters, and especially abled individuals, came together for a schoolathon that represented over 20 schools from across the city. The event was a grand success because of every little contribution that we received. Be it our volunteers who believed in the cause or the participants who glided gracefully with courage and an unwavering spirit. Lastly, how can I forget the media? I am extremely grateful for The Times Of India, Mid-Day and many others to feature the event and bring heightened attention to the ever-growing hearing disability cases across India. At the end of the event, hearing aids were distributed to the winners during the prize distribution. All in all, it was a victory for all the participants who took their first step towards breaking barriers, limitations and stereotypes. Not only was it India’s first thrilling skating-on-the-road event but it was also an opportunity for the hearing disabled to mark their identity in this world. Projects like these reaffirm my belief in the power of PR and communications. Amidst the glitz and glamour, we must not forget our responsibility as advocates for important causes. #PRspecialist #MumbaiEvents #Skateathon #Communications #ThePenProject

LICENSING COMMUNITY ALL CALL! It's Prime Day and I was looking for deals on OFFICIALLY LICENSED ladies workout/performance gear for entertainment properties that I like....I CAN'T FIND ANY! I find lots of licensed casual athleisure and tons of bootleg product, but few items that you can actually use to train hard like for a runDisney race or something like that (inside look into my life right now). Where is all the licensed performance gear and shoes?? I don't mean unisex or men's gear that doesn't fit the female body correctly. Where is the fun/geeky/pop culture/tasteful training gear for women that also have inclusive sizing? Since I'm throwing out wishes, I'm adding reasonable pricing too! 😂 I know that Her Universe has some but I'd like to see more variety. Where are all the anime properties that feature characters that train like Goku and My Hero Academia? Who is making moisture wicking and recovery gear for Disney/Star Wars/Marvel/DC? How about hot weather and compression gear featuring Godzilla, Rodan or recovery gear featuring beautiful Mothra? Who's got the HOKA and ON running shoe collab? I'm a half century +1 so I'm thicc. 😁 That means I have a mature woman's body that has been through some stuff. Before anyone judges, I earned a brown belt in Taekwondo as an adult with an instructor who took no excuses. So #thicc women #workout too and thicc does not equal lazy. I'm entering a new phase, and I want to look good while I do it. I can guarantee you that I'm not alone so let's get it together licensing people! Leave suggestions and links to licensed gear in the comments that would be #FangirlApproved please. Thanks! #licensing #performancegear #workout #workoutclothes #performancerecovery #anime #manga #popculture

This article by WOSJ truly emphasises that we need more opportunities for younger, up-and-coming riders who don't come from high-net-worth families. It also highlights how investment and sponsor support for female athletes like Cathleen is subpar to the support provided to male riders. If we compete as equals in the ring, should the opportunities made available not be equal? It is not just about leveling the playing field; it's about recognising and harnessing untapped talent and ambition without gender bias. By supporting hard-working, dedicated, up-and-coming riders, we will pave the way for future generations, shaping a more equitable sports landscape. #futureofsports #equestrian #genderequality #womeninsports

In the world of motorsports, a dramatic shift has begun to take place over the last few years. A number of initiatives have emerged, all with the common goal of driving change for women and girls in the motorsports industry. Racing initiatives like: 🏎 W Series 🏎 F1 Academy 🏎 Iron Dames 🏎 Girls on Track have identified and are addressing one of the primary obstacles for women in motorsports: the lack of racing and competing opportunities compared to their male counterparts. Here is a list of a few organisations that you should be following and can support to help them continue their important work.