The Real Story Behind Brisbane Festival's Biggest Theatre Premiere Just Got a New Partner

Ahead of its world premiere at Brisbane Festival, Suzie Miller's Strong is the New Pretty has picked up a partner that says a lot about what the play is actually trying to do — the Minerva Network, Australia's leading not-for-profit for high-performance sportswomen, has just been named the production's Official Impact Partner.

If the name Suzie Miller sounds familiar, it should — she's the playwright behind Prima Facie and Inter Alia, both genuine international successes. This time, she's turned away from courtrooms and toward the sporting world, telling the story of how the AFLW actually came to exist: a 2010 recommendation, a seven-year fight, and the women who refused to let it stay a pipe dream.

At the centre of that story is a real, extraordinary figure — Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC, the first woman appointed to the AFL Commission and the person who championed the AFLW into being. Her Excellency isn't just the inspiration for a central character in the play; she's also a co-founder of the Minerva Network, and now serves as its Patron. That's the thread tying this partnership together, and it's a genuinely personal one, not a marketing bolt-on.

"Strong is the New Pretty captures the essence of what Minerva stands for — the power of women supporting women and coming together to challenge norms and create lasting positive change," said Minerva Chair and Co-Founder Christine McLoughlin AM. "This partnership reflects Minerva's own origins and our ongoing mission to support women to thrive in sport, leadership and beyond."

For Miller, the partnership is about reach as much as resonance. "Partnering with Minerva allows us to engage with the sporting community and the women whose experiences reflect the heart of this story," she said. "While Strong is the New Pretty centres on the creation of the AFLW, the themes are universal in every sport from grass roots to high performance and beyond. It's about opportunity, visibility and the courage to lead change."

She's also candid about what's changed, and what hasn't. "Growing up in Melbourne, my childhood was filled with watching boys and men play sport. What I love about Australia today is the growing number of opportunities for women and girls to play, coach, umpire, report on, and lead a wide variety of sports. While we still have a long way still to go, it's important to me that young girls can see opportunities for themselves, no matter what they want to do."

Founded in 2017, Minerva now supports more than 1,100 high-performance female athletes across over 90 sports, powered by more than 470 volunteer mentors — Board and executive women donating their time pro bono. Through this partnership, Minerva athletes and mentors will get to see the play together during its run, and the two organisations will collaborate on community storytelling initiatives well beyond opening night.

Strong is the New Pretty is a co-production between Brisbane Festival, Sydney Theatre Company and Trish Wadley Productions, and it isn't stopping in Brisbane. After its world premiere here from 1 to 19 September, it tours to Canberra (24 September – 3 October), Geelong (8–17 October), and closes out with an extended Sydney season from 22 October to 5 December. Tickets are on sale now.

Between the subject matter, the Mostyn connection, and a partner organisation built specifically to elevate exactly the kind of women this play is about, this is shaping up to be more than a festival highlight — it's the production people will still be talking about once the season's moved on.

Strong is the New Pretty premieres at Brisbane Festival, 1–19 September 2026, ahead of seasons in Canberra, Geelong and Sydney. Tickets at brisbanefestival.com.au.