The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) has announced that it will establish a new commission dedicated to the promotion of female participation in the sport.
The commission will replace the existing Women of Australian Motor Sport (WAMS) committee and commence operations early next year.
According to CAMS, the move is designed to achieve “a more streamlined workflow between the CAMS administration, Board and the Commission, in line with other Commissions that make up the CAMS structure.”
CAMS CEO Eugene Arocca explained, “We are excited to announce the creation of this new Commission, which will ensure we have a thorough understanding of the areas we need to focus on to increase women’s involvement in motor sport across the board and at all levels, from drivers to officials.
“CAMS’ newest Director, Margot Foster, has confirmed she will sit on the Commission as the Board Portfolio Holder, providing valuable insights she has learned during her time in high profile sports across the country.”
WAMS was established in 2010, and existing committee members are being invited to apply for roles with the new commission.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Karyn Hamer, WAMS Chair, and the committee members for their fantastic work and initiatives over the past few years,” Arocca added.
“WAMS has done a great job of ensuring women were given every chance to be involved in the sport, including hosting programs like the successful female officials exchange program, which allowed Australian officials to take part in the Singapore Grand Prix and vice versa.
“I am sure many of those involved in WAMS will be keen to play a part in the new Commission.”
Hamer believes that WAMS had made great strides with in promoting female involvement in motorsport.
“WAMS is exceptionally proud of its success over the past eight years in a variety of programs and opportunities from our media profiles to come and try days, officials opportunities to the Junior Driver Development Scholarship,” she said.
“This would not have been possible without the leadership under our previous WAMS Chairs, Leanne Tander, Belinda Taylor and Samantha Reid, the support of our partners and the tireless work of WAMS Committee members past and present.”
There has been a significant push for greater female participation in Australian motorsport, and indeed Australian sport generally, in recent years.
Holden has publicly stated a desire to have a female racing one of its Supercars, while paddock speculation has linked Simona de Silvestro to the plum Triple Eight seat currently occupied by the retiring Craig Lowndes.
Recruitment for CAMS’ new commission will commence shortly and the confederation has encouraged both men and women to apply.
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