Powerlifting empowers female officials

Achieving gender equity is priority number one for World Para Powerlifting as it continued its mission to empower women in the sport by staging the first women’s technical official course ‘She Can Lift’.

Participants from Czech Republic, Russia and hosts Hungary took part in the three-day course from 21-23 April ahead of the second World Cup of the year in Eger.

Romanian Course Educator Maria Milea shared her excitement: “This is a great step for women in Para powerlifting. The course helped candidates feel empowered, engaged and driven to change the sport.”

Attendees visited the field of play, as well as the warm-up and training halls in Eger. They also put their refereeing skills into practice in a simulated environment.

Czech participant Ivana Klimkova added: “The course was interesting, useful and new for me. It was really powerful to learn with other strong women!”

It was the first of a series of ‘She Can Lift’ programmes, which are supported by the Agitos Foundation’s Grant Support Programme. Its main goal is to improve gender equality in powerlifting.

Gender-specific content is created, developed and implemented as part of these programmes, which also look to build resources for coaches and technical officials for future competitions.

More courses targeted at women will be delivered by World Para Powerlifting throughout the year across different regions.