STAWELL Athletic Club committee member Mr Irvine said the decision to lift the Women's Gift prizemoney to $60,000 the Stawell Gift carnival, which attracts more than 1600 athletes a year, is certain to grow in competitors as a result of the increased prizemoney.
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"With a prize pool of $60,000, we expect the race to become more attractive to elite athletes both Australia-wide and internationally," he said.
Victorian Minister for Sport, John Eren MP said the Victorian Government was pleased to see Australia Post supporting the Women's Gift.
"The Victorian Government has committed to a further four years of funding to the Stawell Gift, and are proud to continue to partner with sponsors and the Stawell Athletic Club to deliver this iconic event," Minister Eren said.
"Events such as these attract significant visitors to our State, boost the economy and increase participation in sport throughout communities, and I would encourage sports loving Victorians to get along to the 2015 Stawell Gift."
In the past, the Stawell Gift carnival has hosted a number of high-profile female athletes including Cathy Freeman, Tamsyn Lewis, Jana Pittman, Melinda Gainsford-Taylor and Melissa Breen.
Melissa Breen, who currently holds the Australian 100m sprint record and won the Women's Gift in 2012, said prizemoney parity was a dream come true.
"We run the same distances, we train the same hours, we love the sport equally and now, thanks to the Australia Post and Stawell Athletic Club, men and women will be racing for the same prizemoney," Breen said.
"I'm sure the boost in prizemoney will see many of the best female athletes from across the country support the Stawell Gift, as I have since 2009.
"The registration process for competing is still open, so I encourage my fellow athletes to get involved and chase the prize pool," she said.
Breen has registered to compete in the Australia Post Women's Gift at this year's event, along with the 70 metres and 200 metres events.
"The Stawell Gift carnival is such an awesome weekend on and off the track and I look forward to racing there this Easter, and hopefully getting the win!"