Where Sport Meets Storytelling: QGSSSA and Brisbane Festival Inspire the Next Generation of Female Leaders

 

 Where Sport Meets Storytelling: QGSSSA and Brisbane Festival Inspire the Next Generation of Female Leaders

 

The Queensland Girls’ Secondary Schools Sports Association (QGSSSA) and Brisbane Festival are proud to announce a new partnership that brings together the worlds of sport, arts and education through Suzie Miller’s highly anticipated world premiere production, Strong is the New Pretty.

The partnership will provide students from QGSSSA member schools with a unique and immersive learning experience that explores leadership, identity, resilience and the power of women to create change. Through a dedicated student event featuring workshops, industry engagement and a live performance, students will have the opportunity to engage with contemporary storytelling while exploring the many pathways that exist across sport, the arts and leadership.

Written by acclaimed Australian playwright Suzie Miller, Strong is the New Pretty tells the remarkable story behind the formation of the AFLW and the women whose vision, determination and advocacy transformed Australian sport. More than a story about football, the production shines a light on the power of collective action, leadership and perseverance in driving social and cultural change.

The partnership reflects QGSSSA’s ongoing commitment to advocating for girls’ and women’s sport and creating opportunities that empower young women to participate, perform and lead. It also aligns with the Association’s focus on innovation, partnerships and providing students with meaningful experiences that extend beyond traditional sporting contexts.

As Brisbane prepares to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, QGSSSA is committed to helping students understand the increasingly interconnected nature of sport, culture, media, events and the creative industries. The partnership with Brisbane Festival provides an opportunity to explore how these sectors work together to shape communities, tell important stories and create opportunities for future generations.

Importantly, the initiative will encourage students to consider the many ways they can contribute to the future of sport—not only as athletes, but also as coaches, officials, administrators, event managers, marketers, broadcasters, performers, storytellers and advocates. By showcasing the common skills, values and leadership qualities shared across sport and the arts, the program aims to broaden students’ understanding of the diverse opportunities available to them.

Coinciding with the 2026 AFLW season and leading into the 2026 QGSSSA Junior Australian Rules Football season, the partnership provides a timely opportunity to celebrate the growth and impact of women’s sport while inspiring students to consider the many ways they can contribute to its future.

QGSSSA President and Head of College of St Peters Lutheran College, Mr Tim Kotzur, said the partnership demonstrated QGSSSA’s commitment to creating innovative opportunities that empower young women and prepare them for future success.

“QGSSSA has always been committed to creating opportunities that empower young women to discover their strengths, pursue their passions and develop as leaders. This partnership with Brisbane Festival represents an exciting evolution of that commitment.

Strong is the New Pretty tells a powerful story of vision, perseverance and advocacy—qualities that resonate deeply with the values we seek to foster in our students. By bringing together sport, the arts and education, we are creating opportunities for young women to see themselves not only as participants in sport, but as future coaches, officials, administrators, storytellers, innovators and leaders.

As we look ahead to Brisbane 2032, it is more important than ever that we expose students to the diverse pathways that exist across the sporting and creative sectors. We are proud to partner with Brisbane Festival on an initiative that celebrates women’s achievements, inspires future generations and encourages students to think boldly about the impact they can have on the world around them.”

QGSSSA Chief Executive Officer Amy Anderton said the partnership reflected the Association’s vision to create future-focused opportunities that connect education, sport and industry.

“At QGSSSA, we are passionate about creating opportunities that inspire young women to explore their potential both within and beyond sport. This partnership with Brisbane Festival is an exciting example of what can be achieved when education, sport and the arts come together with a shared purpose.

Strong is the New Pretty tells a remarkable story of courage, determination and collective action—qualities that have driven progress in women’s sport for generations and continue to shape its future today.

As we look towards Brisbane 2032, we want our students to understand that the future of sport extends far beyond the role of athlete. Whether their passion lies in coaching, officiating, administration, media, event management, performance, storytelling or advocacy, there are countless opportunities to contribute to the sporting landscape.

Through this partnership, students will gain exposure to industry leaders, contemporary performance and real-world pathways that demonstrate how sport and the arts can work together to influence culture, inspire change and create lasting impact.

We are proud to be partnering with Brisbane Festival on an initiative that not only celebrates the achievements of women in sport, but also encourages the next generation of young women to see themselves as future leaders, innovators and changemakers.”

The partnership represents a significant milestone for QGSSSA as it continues to explore innovative ways to engage students and build meaningful connections between sport, education and industry. Through collaboration with Brisbane Festival, QGSSSA hopes to inspire young women to think broadly about their futures and recognise the many opportunities available to them across sport, the arts and beyond.

 

ENDS

 

We encourage QGSSSA families, students and supporters to experience this inspiring production and explore the exciting program of performances, events and experiences on offer as part of Brisbane Festival.

🎟️ Purchase tickets to Strong is the New Pretty and discover the full Brisbane Festival program by visiting the Brisbane Festival website.
https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/