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For Nidhi Baligar, leadership and sport go hand in hand. From coaching and mentoring young athletes to excelling in academics and advocacy, she has embraced every opportunity to grow, lead, and inspire.
Her journey with Play Like a Girl started with the Empowered to Lead Scholarship, where she developed leadership skills, gained sporting mentorship, and became part of a supportive network of women and girls in sport.
"I later had the amazing opportunity to be part of the Classic Sportswear x Play Like a Girl Australia x Matilda’s Alumni women’s line launch, which was an incredible experience that I’m so grateful for."
Nidhi’s leadership journey has been shaped by her academic, sporting, and volunteer experiences.
"My decision to take on leadership roles and volunteer within the community comes from a strong desire to make an impact while managing my responsibilities effectively."
Key leadership roles include:
Beyond school, Nidhi’s leadership shines through in sport:
Nidhi has made lasting contributions to her community:
Through Sport:
At School:
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At Mac.Robertson Girls’ School, securing leadership roles is highly competitive:
"There are around 200 applicants for high-profile leadership positions, and the competition is fierce."
Overcoming this challenge, Nidhi built confidence and developed skills in socialising, time-management, and collaboration, which helped her stand out in leadership opportunities.
Nidhi’s list of accomplishments is inspiring:
Her list continues with recognition in STEM, Model UN, debate, and public speaking, proving that Nidhi is a well-rounded leader across multiple areas.
Through the Empowered to Lead program, Nidhi gained valuable leadership tools that she continues to apply in her career, sport, and personal life:
"Play Like a Girl taught me practical strategies for maintaining mental resilience in sport and balancing responsibilities effectively. It’s more than just ‘staying calm’—this program introduced me to real techniques that help me manage pressure and lead in different environments."
She especially values being part of a community of women in sport:
"The Play Like a Girl network is always presenting new opportunities to get involved in sport. I love seeing everyone share their progress in their sporting clubs and communities."
Her most memorable moment?
"The Play Like a Girl x Matildas Alumni event. It was incredible to meet so many inspiring women, play together, and connect with others who share a love for sport."
"To me, it’s a compliment. It’s a reminder that female athletes can be just as competitive, dedicated, and successful as their male counterparts. My goal is for appreciation of women in sport to be the norm, not the exception."
Looking ahead, Nidhi hopes to continue setting an example for women and girls in leadership, giving them the confidence to step up and thrive in sporting and leadership environments.
"I plan to carry forward the lessons from Play Like a Girl by focusing on empowering the young girls I coach, helping them push beyond doubts and limitations, so they continue playing and excelling in sport."
Play Like a Girl is incredibly proud to have Nidhi Baligar in our community. Her leadership in sport, academics, and advocacy reflects exactly what playing like a girl is all about—resilience, ambition, and the drive to make an impact.
We can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next!
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