The mats at the CombatAUS National Performance Centre (NPC) hosted women and girls of all ages and abilities on Sunday 18 October, with 40 participants stepping up to try Judo and Taekwondo alongside Australia’s best female combat sport athletes.
The free workshop led by CombatAUS, in collaboration with Play Like A Girl Australia, inspired attendees to continue participation in combat sports after the workshop, aiming to break down barriers that can often keep women and girls out of sport.
The day began with a Judo session, where participants learned the fundamentals from international-level athletes and Olympians. Safe falling, balance and basic throws had the group learning new skills and quickly gaining confidence.
The energy kept building into the Taekwondo session, as participants swapped Judo grips for kicks and punches. With a DJ keeping vibes high and a coffee stand available, the NPC felt less like a training centre and more of a party atmosphere.
Following the mat sessions, Dr Lauren Burns OLY (Sydney 2000 Olympic Taekwondo gold medallist & CombatAUS Athlete Wellbeing & Engagement Manager) hosted an athlete panel Q&A, giving attendees the chance to hear directly from Olympians and high performance athletes. They shared personal stories of resilience, confidence and perseverance, and answered questions about life on and off the mat.
“Martial arts offer so much more than physical skills. They provide an incredible platform for developing confidence, courage, resilience and self-belief. We want women and girls to come along, have fun, connect with others and perhaps surprise themselves with what they can achieve. Having the opportunity to learn alongside Olympians and elite athletes made this experience particularly special. It’s about sharing experiences, breaking down barriers and inspiring more women and girls to get involved in sport while having a lot of fun”, said Lauren.
The workshop drew a wonderfully diverse group of women and girls, spanning a wide range of ages and backgrounds. Some arrived with a little combat sport experience, while the majority had never set foot on a mat before. This mix of participants was exactly the point of the workshop. No matter their age, fitness level or experience, every participant was welcomed, supported and encouraged to give it a go by our incredible group of female athletes.
2025 Wrestling World Championships athlete and member of the CombatAUS Athlete Advisory Committee, Victoria Chhen is excited to see these workshops for women continue in future. Victoria said, “The Play Like A Girl x CombatAUS workshop was a fantastic initiative that removed the trepidation many women and girls feel when approaching combat sports. Guided by world-class athletes, participants explored Judo and Taekwondo in an environment filled with joy, laughter, and shared experience. Following the success of this event, we look forward to hosting more workshops in the near future.”
Beyond the throws and kicks, the workshop showed what sport can do for self-belief, connection and a sense of belonging. Participants left with new skills, new friends and new sports to keep exploring.
Taekwondo dual-Olympian, Stacey Hymer was the driving force behind the workshop. “I am very happy with the outcome of the event. An event like this can move a mountain, connecting people, creating community and a friendly environment for women in all stages of their combat career to share experiences and enjoy their sport in a fun way”, Stacey said.
CombatAUS would like to thank Play Like A Girl Australia and the multitude of organisations that supported the event in anyway.
A huge thank you to our current and former CombatAUS athletes, for planning, organising and running the day. Stacey Hymer, Aoife Coughlan, Maeve Coughlan, Juliet Lahood, Reba Stewart, Tinka Easton, Saffron Tambyrajah, Maria Swan, Ryley Rametta, Alannah Joyce and Kristy Harris – the workshop wouldn’t have been such a huge success without the significant contribution from you all.
Lastly, thank you to every participant who stepped onto the mat and stepped out of their comfort zone, for their engagement throughout the day. We can’t wait to see you back next time!
Interested in trying one of our combat sports? Visit the Judo Australia, Wrestling Australia or Australian Taekwondo websites to find a club near you.
