Courtney Gabb receives 2019 Women in Sport Award
The face of lawn bowls for Victoria’s This Girl Can Campaign, Courtney Gabb, has been honoured with the 2019 Women in Sport Award at this year’s Women in Sport Breakfast.
A flamboyant personality around Victorian bowling clubs, the Sandbelt starlet has been a steadfast ambassador for both bowls and women’s sport.
“I feel very honour to be recognised; it was a huge surprise,” Gabb said upon receiving her award.
In 2018, Gabb was selected as the face of lawn bowls for This Girl Can, the VicHealth campaign encouraging women of all ages and backgrounds to get physically active.
At the age of 17, Gabb was diagnosed with Epilepsy and told she would no longer be able to play contact sport.
At first, the Clayton Bowls Club member and Victorian representative was a somewhat reluctant participant, but she soon became hooked on the sport.
“I’ve always loved sport, but a few setbacks meant I had difficulties participating in a lot of my regular sports. A friend suggested lawn bowls, and once I started playing, I immediately fell in love with the sport and the positive energy it generated in me.”
Hosted by Gymnastics Victoria and supported by Victoria University, the morning saw the industry come together to recognise the significant contribution that women and girls make in increasing sports participation.