The motto "Successful Together", which was chosen for the third edition of the Women's Sports Conference, set the tone. Collaborations between sport, business, science and the media increase the chances of change at a societal level precisely because of the power of sport.

Right in the opening panel, sailing gold medallist Lara Vadlau and geneticist Markus Hengstschläger delivered strong arguments in an exciting dialogue of possibilities.
 
Prof Markus Hengstschläger: "Austria needs it like a piece of bread that there are people who don't do things the way everyone else does, but who go their own way."

Dr Lara Vadlau: "When sailing, as so often in life, you have to react very flexibly to situations. The better you prepare for such things, the safer you naturally feel. Of course, confidence also plays a crucial role. My great success last summer made me realise just how many people I can reach and inspire through my sport. I do believe that we have enough role models in Austria, but we need to support them even better in the media. After football and skiing, for example, it's already difficult on television."

Lara Vadlau also announced at the conference that she will be competing again at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Market Institute provides exciting data on the status quo of women's sport in Austria
The eagerly awaited presentation of the survey conducted by the Market Institute on women's sport in Austria among the Austrian population and members of Sport Austria was entitled "Women's sport in Austria, between hurdles and highs"

He summarised the results as follows:

Women's sport is an obstacle course - even though it has what it takes to fly high.
"Sport is traditionally male (even women watch more men's sport) - and far too little is being done to counteract this. Waiting and hoping for a future improvement in the situation alone will not be enough - young people also think in traditional ways, even if other media channels are used," reports Pfarrhofer, but also mentions decisive rays of hope:

• In some sports, interest in women's sports is close to that of men's sports (e.g. winter sports)
• At least awareness of the discrimination against women's sport is widespread, and the first signs of change can be detected - albeit at a rather slow pace.

Accordingly, women's sport needs turbos on a social level:

• More awareness among sponsors
• Better financial resources
• More presence in (all) media

According to Pfarrhofer, obstacles also need to be removed in everyday life for (prospective) female athletes. Family-friendly framework conditions, improved sports programmes in the regions and equal opportunities regulations in sport are also needed.
 
The FE&MALE Sports Conference "Advantage Ladies" is being held in cooperation between Sport Austria, the Austrian Tennis Federation and the WTA 500 Upper Austria Ladies Linz tournament, which is taking place in Linz until 2 February.
At a joint press conference, the three organisers emphasised the absolute necessity of such an event and at the same time the motivation for further efforts to strengthen women's sport:
 
Sport Austria President Hans Niessl said: "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 kindergartens and schools are needed in order to make sport and physical activity a more important part of young girls' everyday lives emphasises Sport Austria's call for the full roll-out of daily physical activity sessions. Only in kindergartens and schools can we reach all areas of society in terms of health education. Those who come into contact with exercise at an early age will also take part in sport in adulthood, thereby leading a better, healthier life and saving the state the costs of illness. This is as simple as it is logical, as is the second point from the survey that I would like to emphasise: 37 percent stated that women need sports facilities with the same standards as men. What sounds like a matter of course is unfortunately not. This aspect must therefore be taken into account in our call for an Austria-wide sports facility offensive, in which new sports facilities are to be built and existing ones modernised. After all, good sports facilities are the basis for high-quality sport."
 
Statement by Martin Ohneberg, President of the Austrian Tennis Federation: "We are delighted to be organising the FE&MALE Sports Conference together with Upper Austria Ladies Linz and Sport Austria for the third time this year in order to send out an important signal for women's tennis and women's sport as a whole. Because the sport needs more women. 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."

Statement by Sandra Reichel, Tournament Director Upper Austria Ladies Linz: "This year's edition of the FE&MALE Sports Conference Advantage Ladies proves in several ways how important it is to strengthen and support women's sport and to show the potential that women's sport has to offer. It is particularly important for me to emphasise that it can only work together. 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."

Statement by Magdalena Lobnig, rowing world champion and Advantage Ladies ambassador: "Knowledge and visibility are two topics that are repeatedly mentioned in relation to strengthening women's sport. We need 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."