Dr. Lara Vadlau, Olympiasiegerin Segeln, Univ. Prof. Mag. Dr. Markus Hengstschlaeger - Female Sports Conference during the Upper Austria Ladies Linz - Womens Tennis, WTA500, 29.1.2025, Linz (Design Center Linz), Austria, Foto: Mathias Schulz
Der Kongressaal war voll besetzt!
Saman Soltani bei ihrer Keynote

29 January 2025

At the FE&MALE Sports Conference "Advantage Ladies" on 29 January 2025 at the Design Center Linz, prominent speakers discussed the investment potential, opportunities and future viability of sport and the potential that women's sport can contribute to this.

Organised by Upper Austria Ladies Linz, Sport Austria and the Austrian Tennis Federation, the event was held as part of the renowned WTA 500 women's tennis tournament Upper Austria Ladies Linz, which is organised by the Reichel Business Group (RBG).

The programme was divided into three thematic blocks, which highlighted opportunities for cooperation between sport, business, science and the media, showed new perspectives for women's sport and expressed the power of sport and the associated visions for society.

Austria's renowned sports presenter Alina Zellhofer once again hosted a programme this year that set strong accents and provided new impulses.

Ticket prices

2025
Normal price149,00 €
VIP399,00 €
Pupils & students65,00 €
Wheelchair users65,00 €

All tickets include participation in the conference and networking, catering during the day and seats at centre court for the evening matches of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz.

The VIP ticket also includes access to the VIP club including catering and drinks as well as VIP seats at centre court for the evening matches.

To the ticket store

Photos: Sport Austria/Florian Rogner

Quotes

"We have to make sure that we also show more stories about heroines. There are so many great female athletes. I think it's a shame that these women are not featured enough in the media. But it's not just about the media, everyone can do something about it in their own environment and simply raise the issue and bring it up for discussion."
Magdalena Lobnig (World rowing champion and ambassador for Advantage Ladies)
"The Market Institute's survey gives sports policy very good indications of where it needs to focus in order to improve the situation of women's sport. The fact that the majority of respondents believe that more physical activity sessions in nurseries and schools are needed in order to make sport and exercise more of a part of young girls' everyday lives emphasises Sport Austria's call for the daily physical activity session to be rolled out in full."
Hans NiesslSport Austria President
"Women are clearly underrepresented in tennis in Austria in almost all areas. In the ÖTV Executive Committee, we are constantly thinking about how we can attract more women to our sport. This also requires joint efforts and endeavours such as the FE&MALE Sports Conference and the 'Ladies in Tennis' initiative, with which we have already achieved a lot in the last three years, together with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport."
Martin OhnebergPresident of the Austrian Tennis Federation
"We also need men to strengthen women's sport. The result of strengthening women's sport will be a benefit for society as a whole. Hence this year's motto Successful together. This also corresponds to one of my guiding principles: Strong alone... together we are unstoppable."
Sandra ReichelTournament Director Upper Austria Ladies Linz
"Women's sport is on the rise. In fact, 80% of brands say they are likely to invest in women's sport in the next few years. Compared to men's sport, women's sport primarily uses the respective personality to tell stories."
Bettina BaerClient Service Director, Two Circles

Graphic Recording of the FE&MALE Sports Conference

Copyright: Eva Rudofksy

Quotes

It was always my biggest dream to compete on international championship and the Olympics. Don't let the gender tell what you are able to achieve. Either you give up or you fight for your dream. Always believe in yourself and keep on going.
Saman SoltaniIOC Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024
Sport is an important component, as sport is a good vehicle for driving change. Sport can create a safe space and boost self-confidence so that girls can stand up for themselves.
Alexandra TschacherTeamlead external communication and social media, Plan International
You should use the opportunity of social media to give weight to the issue. Female athletes, for example, are criticised much more in public for their appearance than men. Yet sport offers girls and women the opportunity to be good at something.
Lena MillonigAthlete, sports ambassador for Plan International
The women in my life, especially my daughter, were the deciding factor for me to get involved in the project. I have had strong women by my side my whole life. Sport is also a huge factor in integration. The language doesn't play a big role in training, but sport helps you learn the language at the same time. I immediately found friends in sport, a community that picked me up. Sport has changed my life.
Damir DjukicFormer national handball player, coach and Plan International ambassador
Great sports personalities were the role models I wanted to achieve. Whether I am a role model myself is for others to judge. But I hope so. The family environment is very important for sportsmen and sportswomen. We have always supported each other.
Magdalena LobnigRowing, Olympic Games, bronze medallist2021
Being called up to the junior national team was a decisive moment for me. My family is the biggest support for me. They are always there for me. My message to the young girls: You should give it a go. It can't be any worse than not succeeding.
Isabella FrintVolleyball player, Oberbank Steelvolleys Linz-Steg
My inspiration is all people who are successful in life. I think setbacks make you stronger than your own successes. Basically, women have to stand up for themselves.
Ivonn SimeonovaDevelopment Driver, More Than Equal
I can no longer imagine my life without the football pitch. I hope that I can show other girls that women can make their way in male domains.
Yara Maria KandlbinderFootball referee
It's very important to have goals and dreams. My biggest dream was to take part in the Olympic Games. I try to be a role model and show that there are not only highs, but also lows. But if you work hard, you will achieve your goal.
Charlize MörzGymnast of the year 2024

The programme on 29.01.2025

9.00 - 9.30 a.m.

Arrive, check in, have a coffee: Welcome!

9.30 - 9.45 a.m.

Opening

9.45 - 10.25 a.m.

OPENING PANEL

Dialogue of possibilities

Prof Dr Markus Hengstschläger

Dr Lara Vadlau, Olympic sailing champion

Driving Change

#Collaboration

10.30 - 11.00 a.m.

KEYNOTE

Formula One and the 50-Year Gender Barrier: Why the Wait, and How to Change the Race

Fran Longstaff, PhD, Head of Research, More Than Equal

11.05 - 11.35 a.m.

KEYNOTE

Beyond Words - How sports brands take impactful decisions in sports sponsorship

Yana Bokareva, Sports Marketing Manager at ASICS EMEA

11.35 - 12.15 h

PANEL TALK

Value of Collaboration: Creating a Supportive Environment in Sport

Fran Longstaff, PhD, Head of Research, More Than Equal

Yana Bokareva, Sports Marketing Manager at ASICS EMEA

Barbara Schett-Eagle, former WTA No. 7 in singles, TV-
Expert 

12.15 - 13.15

Lunch break

New horizons

#Perspectives

1.25 - 1.55 pm

KEYNOTE

Hype or sustainable growth? The change illustrated with figures and case studies.

Bettina Baer, Client Service Director, Two Circles

14.00 - 14.30

KEYNOTE

Women's sport in Austria: Between hurdles and flying high

David Pfarrhofer, Institute Director, MARKET

14.35 - 15.10

PANEL TALK

Women's sport through the eyes of men: Perception versus reality

Nico Langmann, wheelchair tennis player
Marcel Meinert, TV commentator, Sky Germany,
Jürgen Irsigler, CEO, Admiral Sportwetten GmbH
Marc Philippe, PhD, Head of Competence Centre Science, Olympiazentrum Vorarlberg GmbH

3.15 - 3.45 pm

Let's Stretch & Smile

Power of Sport

#Visions

3.50 - 4.10 pm

KEYNOTE

Unleashing Potential: Saman's Journey to a Stronger You

Saman Soltani, IOC Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024

16.15 - 16.55

PANEL TALK

Sport as a game changer for a more equal world?

Alexandra Tschacher, Teamlead External Communications and Social Media, Plan International
Lena Millonig, track and field athlete, sports ambassador for Plan International
Damir Djukic, former national handball player, coach and Plan International ambassador

17.00 - 17.30

PANEL TALK

Dream. Achieve. Inspire: The next generation in sport

Magdalena Lobnig, Rowing, Olympics
Bronze medallist2021

Isabella Frint, volleyball player, Oberbank Steelvolleys Linz-Steg
Ivonn Simeonova, Development Driver, More Than Equal

Yara Maria Kandlbinder, football referee

Charlize Mörz, gymnast of the year 2024

From 5.45 pm

Networking

From 18.00 hrs

Evening match

The event will once again be hosted by ORF journalist Alina Zellhofer, who has just been voted Sports Journalist of the Year in Austria.

 

To the programme