Growing up in India, she was teased for not conforming to what girls should be interested in and how girls should act, playing all the sports she possibly could.
Priyanka Chadha, 33, is an authentic individual who has always pushed the boundaries of where and how women are accepted in the sporting scene.
Basketball is a passion that quickly ignited for Priyanka from the age of 13-years-old, at which she represented her state in India for the U13’s category.
“I wanted to be Michael Jordan,” Priyanka smiled with laughter when reflecting on her basketball aspirations as a young teenager.
It was very unheard of to have a career in the sporting industry in India; she had no direction or knowledge of how to make it a reality.
From ages 18 to 21, Priyanka moved from her family and life in India to live and study in Melbourne, completing an undergrad degree.
“They were the best years of my life,” she said when asked what her study experience was like.
After her studies at Monash University, she moved to Dubai where she played in a social competition league that would run on a Sunday evening.
With her dedication to the league, filling in wherever she could for whatever sport, an opportunity arose to join the sport event and marketing company, that ran the league, in a full-time event and account manager role.
One event Priyanka worked on in 2015 was ran by the Abu Dhabi government and their sporting council with the aim of promoting fitness and sport, increasing interest and involvement – the first ever UAE National Sports Day.
Priyanka had over 100 people working for her on this project which had an amazing turnaround time, with an impressive turnout of people as well.
“It was probably the most stressed I’ve ever been in my life, but it was so rewarding to see it all come together,” she laughed remembering the chaos.
An inspirational beginning to her story of success as an adult started with her obsession of all things basketball.
Suffering two meniscus injuries and moving to Hobart, she has since given up playing both basketball and cricket, and now focuses on the behind the scenes of motorsport.
Her opportunities in Dubai led her back to Australia for a second time to Sydney to complete an MBA Bachelor of sports management for two years; she always knew she wanted to come back to Australia to live and work.With time spent away from her family while she explored her passions, a rather large decision loomed over her head, the family business or basketball and the sports industry.
“I wanted to wake up doing something I’m super passionate about,” she said when asked about that decision.
Since choosing her passion, she has now secured an exciting career with Motorsport Australia as the National Participation Programme Lead where she works on bringing various Girls On Track pathways and inspire programmes to life, whilst also working on Ricciardo’s Racers, Ferrari Driver Academy, and FIA Rally Star.
Previously she worked on the 2020 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix and managed the State Office for Motorsport Australia in Tasmania.
Her biggest highlight with Motorsport Australia has been seeing her visions come to life with Girls on Track pathways and inspire events.
“Seeing the programme grow and everything it’s achieved, and starting the role – coming into this role, there’s a kind of vision I had, and seeing that come to life has been truly amazing,” she said.
Women are underestimated in many walks of life, however especially in sport, but this hasn’t held Priyanka back.
When asked what the most rewarding part of her job was, she smiled, “To see Girls On Track come to life and having hard work paying off.”
Girls On Track aims at providing young girls and women with the knowledge, connections, and overall confidence to find their place in the motorsport industry.
Priyanka has a warm and caring aura surrounding her, making her an incredible person to chat to. Her eyes light up when she speaks about her story, her passions, and her success with Motorsport Australia.
When talking about her future aspirations, it’s clear that NBA Basketball is still on her list of things to succeed in – and without a doubt, Priyanka Chadha will conquer that world too.
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Hi Tayla Talks family, this was a recent journalism assignment I have handed in for university, and since received marks. Priyanka Chadha is a wonderful, inspiring individual that deserves a permanent spot on this blog site. Hope you enjoyed!
Tayla Talks 
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