Blazing Trails in Sport

Three Australian sporting heroes – Matildas’ legend Cortnee Vine, Australian Diamonds’ midcourter Jamie-Lee Price, and Sydney Swans’ co-captain Chloe Molloy – sat down at 2023 MFA EX with Seven Network’s Mel McLaughlin to discuss their inspirational careers and the changing face of sport.

Here are three highlights:

Keep your cool

Vine took the crowd through her historic match-winning penalty moment. “We were all told when we’d be taking our penalty, and I was tenth, so I figured I wouldn’t be taking it,” she said. “[As the shootout] crept on, I still thought I wouldn’t be taking it. Only when it got to the tenth penalty taker and I could see Sam and Steph’s faces – who’s next? – that I realised it was my go. I felt oddly calm. Afterwards, I remember the crowd erupting and the girls sprinting towards me. I had to watch it back a few times to [fully comprehend] – that was actually me.”

Consider the legacy you leave behind

“Back in school, if you’d asked us who our sporting heroes were, we would have named a male athlete. But today [the next generation] has athletes like Jamie Lee Price and Cortnee Vine to look up to,” said Molloy. “As athletes, knowing our role, stepping up to that role, not accepting the bare minimum, and understanding that the only ceilings that exist are the ones we put on ourselves [are crucial].”

Pave your own way

Price shared what it was like to forge a netball career in the shadow of her rugby league legend father. “When I was growing up, I was always known as Steve Price’s daughter – something I’d get really annoyed about when I was first trying to make a career for myself. I’d say, ‘Yes, I am his daughter, but I’m Jamie-Lee Price and I’m a netballer, I don’t play rugby league. This is me.’ But [at the same time], being able to watch my dad play for Australia and represent the Maroons was something I’m truly grateful for – I got to see up close what it takes to be a professional athlete, the highs and the lows.”

Watch the video of Cortnee Vine, Jamie-Lee Price, Chloe Molloy and Mel McLaughlin’s talk here.