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Shona Halson an inspiration in exercise and sports science

Performance recovery expert Dr Shona Halson hopes her recognition as one of Exercise and Sports Science Australia’s top female leaders in 2019 will inspire a new generation of women to reach for the top in her industry.

An Associate Professor in ACU’s School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Dr Halson was on International Women’s Day named as one of ESSA’s three Female Leaders in Exercise and Sports Science.

Dr Halson has been a mainstay of Australia’s high performance network for two decades and has been a part of three Olympic campaigns with the national team.

Her research focuses on recovery, fatigue and sleep and she has been a trusted advisor to countless elite coaches and athletes.

“Many women I know make incredible scientists, communicators and leaders, and we should encourage more women to take up leadership roles and be examples to others,” Dr Halson said. “Sometimes ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ and more females in leadership roles will demonstrate the opportunities to others.”

ESSA made the announcement on International Women’s Day to reaffirm the organisation’s commitment to gender diversity.

Chief executive office Anita Hobson-Powell said 50 per cent of ESSA’s members are female, while almost half the organisation’s board are women.

“We are inspired to have a wide range of industry leaders within our membership, both male and female, however, in celebration of International Women’s Day, ESSA is recognising three women who are helping to forge a more progressive, gender balanced community and are portraying true leadership and influential change,” she said. 

“I believe these women not only represent this and more but are continuously driving excellence in their roles and are an inspiration to others in the industry who are advocating for positive change daily.”