On November 19, Australian Netball Diamonds captain Sharelle McMahon along with captains and leading athletes of major Australian sports will convene at Parliament House, Canberra for the 2009 ‘Captains’ Forum’.

The key objective of this event is to develop national responses by Australia’s sporting leaders to some of the most significant challenges facing sport and the broader community.

The Captains’ Forum is a unique concept that builds on Australia’s reputation as a global pioneer in sport. “This is the first time Australia’s leading athletes from a wide cross section of Australian sports and Olympic disciplines have come together to debate and

discuss as peers, issues facing Australian sport and the community at large,” said Sport Australia Hall of Fame Chairman and Yachting great John Bertrand AM.

“From the Forum, the captains and leaders will determine a theme to take to Australians through sport in 2010, to address the issue they feel is most important to the community today.”

"The Captain’s Forum will bring Australia’s sporting leaders together to discuss the big issues facing Australian sport,” said the Federal Minister for Sport Kate Ellis. "The Forum will show the power that sport has to make a positive difference on the challenges confronting sport and Australian society as a whole."

Sporting heroes attending the inaugural Captains’ Forum include: Geelong premiership captain Tom Harley, world champion Pole Vaulter Steve Hooker, Rugby League’s Preston Campbell, Basketball captains’ Jason Smith and Kristi Harrower, Wheelchair Basketball captain Tina McKenzie, Australian Netball Diamonds captain Sharelle McMahon, Rugby Union’s Nathan Sharpe, V8 SuperCar champ Mark Skaife, Tennis Davis Cup Captain John Fitzgerald, from Swimming, Libby Trickett and Patrick Murphy, and Winter Paralympian Cameron Rahles-Rabula.

Rugby Legend John Eales AM, the original architect of the Captains’ Forum is excited about this milestone event in Australian sport, “The Captains’ Forum provides the opportunity for Australian captains’ to speak with one voice to drive cultural change from within, “ said Mr. Eales. “We hope that the Captains’ Forum becomes an annual event, bringing together captains to reflect on the year past and plan for the year ahead.”