New ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation Yvette Berry will take up the fight for women's sport when she starts the role, declaring female athletes deserve adequate television coverage for national competitions.
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Berry replaces Shane Rattenbury in the portfolio after a major ACT cabinet reshuffle on Friday.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr retains the Tourism and Events portfolio as well as overseeing any negotiations with the Canberra Raiders and the ACT Brumbies.
Berry, who is also the Minster For Women, will focus on grassroots sports as well as Canberra's national-league teams, including the Cavalry, the Capitals and Canberra United.
Women's sport took a major hit at the end of 2014 when the ABC cut broadcasts of WNBL and W-League matches.
W-League has secured a deal with Fox Sports and ABC, with Canberra United to have its semi-final against Sydney FC on Sunday broadcast live.
The WNBL has failed to secure a television deal this season, despite the Women's Big Bash League cricket competition attracting a huge broadcast audience and exceeding expectations.
"I said this publicly in the past as well, because I'm also the Minister For Women, and I'm quite keen to see women's sport better supported," Berry said.
"And hopefully that it can be televised in the same way that men's sports are, absolutely. Something I'd like to see as Minister For Sport and Minister For Women is that young women can see there's a chance for them in Canberra to become an athlete.
"They can be inspired by the local Canberrans we have - that's Canberra United and the Capitals. We've also got netballers and an amazing women's cricket team. We need to do better in making sure everyone in the community knows how great our women's sports teams are."
Barr will still take charge of events at Canberra Stadium, Manuka Oval, Stromlo Forest Park and Exhibition Park.
That includes the proposed $300 million indoor rectangular stadium in Civic, which has been delayed as the government covers the costs of the Mr Fluffy clean-up.
One of Berry's key roles will be deciding the future of the ACT SportStar of the Year awards as well as the ACT Sport Hall of Fame.
ACT Sport disbanded last year after 30 years representing more than 70 community sport organisations.
Canberra is enjoying a golden generation of athletes on the global stage, including NBA-winner Patrick Mills, Socceroo Tom Rogic, tennis ace Nick Kyrgios, BMX queen Caroline Buchanan and Hockeyroo Anna Flanagan.
Berry is yet to be fully briefed on her role with the Hall of Fame and sporting awards in coming weeks.
"I'll have to get a briefing and see where it is up to. When I was elected into the government I did represent the Chief Minister and present Hall of Fame awards," Berry said.
"It's great to recognise our athletes in a meaningful way, but I'll have to see what the right way to recognise our athletes are.
"It seems every year we've got more champions that rise up and that's the great thing about the ACT, athletes are born and bred here."
Berry played social basketball before turning to politics and has served on Basketball ACT judiciaries.
"When I started working at the assembly, I couldn't commit to my team any more. That was a bit sad for me, so I live vicariously through my children's sport," she said.
"That's one area that interests me most - getting kids involved in sport, it doesn't matter what it is.
"We have some of the best women's sporting teams in Australia and that gives people in the ACT a chance to experience some wonderful and talented athletes who live and work here."
