Hundreds of women are limbering up to descend on East Gippsland next month for Australia’s largest women’s-only functional fitness event for 2026.
On Sunday, June 14, CrossFit Bairnsdale will welcome 220 athletes of all ages and fitness levels to compete in The Butterfly Effect Competition.
Now in its 11th year, the international event is making its East Gippsland debut in partnership with the East Gippsland Shire Council, with an estimated 700 spectators expected to turn out to support the athletes.
Despite the competitive arena, co-founder Rowena Calderwood said the primary goal of the day is celebrating the strength and capability of women’s bodies rather than standing on a podium.
“The Butterfly Effect started in 2015 as a grassroots initiative to create a safe and empowering competition space for women in fitness — at a time when body image and inclusivity weren’t often part of the conversation in mainstream events,” Ms Calderwood said.
“We launched with a handful of teams and a strong purpose: to support the Butterfly Foundation, raise awareness for eating disorders, and challenge narrow beauty ideals in the fitness space.”
The cause hits incredibly close to home for both Ms Calderwood and co-organiser Karly Kentwell, who have both navigated their own complex relationships with body image and nutrition.
Ms Calderwood spent her childhood affected by her mother’s battle with anorexia, developing a belief that her self-worth was entirely tied to her appearance. A period of youth homelessness later served as a major turning point, teaching her the true value of nourishing her body.
For Ms Kentwell, a childhood spent as an athletic but taller teenager in Asia sparked decades of constant comparison and body critique.
“The aim is to shift the focus from appearance to appreciation for what our bodies can do,” Ms Kentwell said.
“Everyone’s journey is different, and I want to help create a space where women feel empowered by their strength, not defined by their looks.”
More than one million Australians are currently living with an eating disorder, a mental health crisis that claims more lives annually across the country than the national road toll.
All funds and awareness raised throughout the Bairnsdale event will go directly toward supporting the vital work of the Butterfly Foundation.
The action kicks off on Sunday, June 14, at CrossFit Bairnsdale, located at 3 Campbells Drive.
