Accelerating Equity: How our Amy Evans is advocating for diversity and inclusion
Amy Evans is well known in WA racing circles for her ownership success.
It’s an enviable record which includes part-ownership of multiple Group 3 winner The Velvet King, his progressive sister The Velvet Queen and Listed winner Weaponson, to name just a few.
You’ll also find Amy’s name in the ownership of Clairvoyance, Protégé and Wonder Weapon while flicking through a racebook.
Ahead of International Day of Disabled Persons on December 3, Racing WA’s Zach Relph caught up with Amy who, when not leading her horses into the winner’s stall, is creating thoroughbred-related content for The Races WA and liaising with country clubs to help promote their race rounds.
“I love that I get to work with a team who shares my passion for racing,” Amy said when asked about her contract role as social media coordinator in our Racing Marketing team.
“As I joined the industry as an owner, working at RWWA has really opened my eyes to what goes on behind the scenes to promote race days and put on a good experience for owners and racing fans.”
Amy was born with Nemaline Rod Muscular Myopathy (NM), a rare muscular disorder with less than 40 cases Australia-wide, which causes muscle weakness, hypoventilation and impaired speech.
She uses an electric wheelchair and a ventilator to assist her breathing.
Living with NM gives Amy a rare insight into business and community norms and she uses her social media expertise to promote inclusivity.
“One in five Australians have a disability, so diversity and inclusion in the workplace is just ensuring that everyone is represented,” she said.
“It also means that our needs are accommodated so we can perform at our best.
“It’s important to me because people with disabilities are often underestimated, when in fact we have a range of different skills that businesses can benefit from.”
The flexibility offered at RWWA helps Amy manage her time to boost productivity and avoid burnout, while occasionally taking a Wednesday off to watch one of her horses race.
“I have a few friends without a disability in marketing roles at other companies who would love to have the flexibility that RWWA offers,” Amy said.
The diverse and inclusive environment is high on the list of things she enjoys about racing.
“The racing community has to be the most inclusive group of people I’ve come across and it has been like that since I first became an owner,” Amy said.
“My disability may mean that I’m recognised more at the track than others, but I’ve never felt that I’ve been treated differently because of it.
“My reputation of being an emotional – and luckily successful – owner with a passion for industry is probably more what people first think of when they’re asked about me.”
*You can find Amy’s musings, including race meeting previews, on her blog, The Velvet Court.
Zach Relph