Sure, there is a long way to go in areas such as discrimination in the workplace, sexism, and discrimination generally. But there is no doubt progress is being made, even if not quickly enough.

And that includes politics, where we have far more women being involved in the Parliament – although we should have more – and the fact they are moving into positions of power far more quickly.

Although that must always be determined on merit, but at the same remembering there are plenty of male duds around who have worked their way up through the party system; one which inevitably does not favour females.

The one area where women have made huge progress is in sport. And with Australia being a sporting nation it is an ideal way to push the barrow of female – and other non-heterosexual genders – equality.

There have always been elite female sportspeople who have excelled at the highest level. But female team sports have taken it to another level.

Basketball, netball and hockey have always been there. But their rise in international rankings has seen them grow enormously in popularity, as has the media coverage.

Netball for instance – at the national league and international levels- is played at a fast and furious pace, and is incredibly skillful. I try to never miss it when it is on the tube.

Having grown up with two sisters and female friends, I always had an interest in the sport and even coached a couple of teams The Lioness was involved in.

Although I do remember there being hardly any other men involved, the rule book for the NSW Netball Association said all office bearers had to be female and getting a frosty reception from local umpires.

Before I go any further I should make a confession. Until recently I – like many other blokes – was disparaging of female sport. And I will admit I often watched it to check out if there were any “cute” competitors – which was pretty sexist (“perve” is probably a better description).

But now I have been won over and take great delight in watching our national rugby, cricket and soccer teams.

Rugby union has been a constant and the skill level at the last world cup was amazing; and not forgetting we won the gold medal at the last Olympics. And even the Steamers have a women’s team which plays in the Southern Rugby Union competition.

But it has been the efforts of our national soccer and cricket teams, especially the former, which have had me glued to my seat in front of the television.

And the best thing is that many of our elite female sportspeople are becoming media celebrities in their own right.

So there is no excuse for women - either as competitors or officials - not to be involved in sport. Be it tennis, water polo, ten-pin bowling, croquet, netball or whatever. But there will need to be a focus on helping out women who can’t participate, such as single mums who can’t fall back on family support for a couple of hours.

Next Tuesday I will be doing my darndest to go and watch the woman play in the Border Bash. And with time constraints being what they are I may not be able to hang around and watch the blokes do their thing.

Who woulda thought McGlone would’ve ever said that.

You go gals.