SASMA Chief Danielle Grant-Cross Demands Medical Education Drive to Bridge Female Sports Science Gap

South Australian Sports Medicine Association (SASMA) Chief Executive Officer Danielle Grant-Cross, has issued a call to action across the national sporting ecosystem, demanding a structured education drive to translate female-focused sports science research into sideline execution.

Speaking ahead of her appearance at the Women in Sport Summit 2026, the former Australian netball squad member highlighted that despite accelerating commercial interest in female athletics, systemic research deficits and governance hurdles continue to impact athlete welfare.

Addressing the Research Deficit

Highlighting the underrepresentation of female cohorts in high-performance medical literature, Grant-Cross emphasised that evidence-based frameworks must lead player health strategies.

“I think it’s been a very interesting space and from a sports medicine space which is what we’ve recognised there needs to be more research specific to women, so only 10 % of current research around sports medicine and injuries is around women.”

“So there is a big push to have more research and development in relation to women’s health.

“What I can also say on a positive note is I think there is lots of excellent evidence-based information available for women, more so than ever.

“But I do think it’s very important that we keep to evidence-based information to support women and their health,” Grant-Cross stated.

Education as the Strategic Bridge

To prevent research from remaining purely theoretical, Grant-Cross urged national and state sporting organisations to invest in consistent, practical education programs across both grassroots and professional ranks.

“I think education is the key for me.”

“So education, how do we take the policy, the research as you’ve just suggested and translate it to the sideline of everyday sport from a community and an elite level?

“I think that is education.

“Having clear, consistent messaging for people to be able to follow and for it to make sense.

“So I think that is the key that we all should be working on.

“How can we have evidence-based information and education available at every point through one sporting career from community to the elite levels,” Grant-Cross explained.

Governance and Commercial Acceleration

Linking medical governance to commercial viability, Grant-Cross advocated for stronger female representation across executive boards and media channels to drive visibility and commercial alignment.

“For it to be picked up commercially more, we need more visibility of what’s going on.”

“I think from a media perspective, really promoting the the awesome way that women play sport and what it brings to the community within Australia especially.

“I would just like to see more of that at every level of the game and I think that will really have a really important influence on community sport for everyone,” Grant-Cross said.

Looking toward the Summit, Grant-Cross stressed that medical governance remains a universal responsibility for sports administrators.

“Well really hope they’re inspired to work in the medical education and sporting area that I think medical governance, looking after people’s health and well-being is absolute paramount and we all have a role to play,” Grant-Cross said.

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