As Shadow Minister for Women I was delighted to be part of Womensport and Recreation NSW`s 2009 Sydney`s Schoolgirls Breakfast with the Stars at Sydney Olympic Park this morning. It was wonderful to see more than six hundred school girls from around metropolitan Sydney turn up to meet their female sports stars and hear some inspiring words from women Olympians.

Sport is not all about winning and it is not only for gifted players. Anyone can enjoy playing sport and there are now a range of great group games played for friendship and exercise as much as for high achievement. Think touch football and soccer. Tennis and golf, lawn bowls.

The important thing is to join in. It is important that women remain strong, fit and healthy. With all we have to do in life, pursuing careers, holding down jobs, bringing up families and joining in community activities, women need to be physically and mentally on top. That`s why sport is so important- it keeps us fit and looking good, keeps us strong and resilient and also gives us the friendships and connections important to everyday wellbeing.

Girls should not walk away from sport as they get older and busier, that`s when sport and exercise become even more important. I hope the girls this morning took away two messages - the importance of exercise and sport for women and the importance of spreading the word.

Got to run- I have started jogging five times a week!
Pru