Community members got a sneak peek last Friday of a new show set to showcase in Harvey next year celebrating decades of women in sport and competition.

For the past two weeks, Harvey’s Recreation and Cultural Centre has hosted artists in residence from Steamworks Arts as they develop their latest production TROPHY.

Co-creator and director Sally Richardson said the team interviewed women in the region across generations from different sporting clubs and codes to find out their connections to sport.

“We’re developing the work as a reflection and an experience of women in sport, and also their connection between women’s sport, arts and culture,” she said.

“Talking to local women, hearing their stories, their histories, right through from the early days through to current world champions.”

TROPHY will showcase a collection of these stories through elements including dance, theatre and audio while taking audiences on an journey through Harvey’s sporting facilities as part of an immersive experience.

Co-creator and performer Natalie Allen said she had thought about her own trophies collecting dust and how sportspeople and sporting clubs had their own memorabilia holding their own stories.

From histories and legacies to what it means to be a champion, striving to win or dealing with losses, Allen said the show explored sport on a deeper level.

“I think for me, it’s really about finding the embodiment of all the expressions and passion that actually lives in sport and the people and how sport becomes so much a part of their lives,” she said.

Creative producer Libby Klysz said one thing she had noticed from the stories in Harvey was the role women had played in keeping the clubs alive.

“They’re the ones that are not just washing the uniform and cutting up the oranges,” she said.

“They’re the ones that are fundraising and managing teams.

“Making sure that everyone’s fed while also milking the cows and getting out there on the tractor.

“There’s something really delicious about the stories and connections and legacy of Harvey women being part of a national conversation of women in sport and connected to those communities and clubs and women coast to coast,” she said.

HRCC manager David Marshall said being chosen as one of the creative development venues and communities for TROPHY to take place in was incredibly fortunate, while any opportunity to highlight the experiences and voices of people in the community was one to always take.

“There is a long history in Harvey of female participation in sport, including at the highest level and to capture, perform and preserve that for future generations is definitely worth celebrating,” he said.

Mr Marshall said he anticipated the WA regional tour for TROPHY would occur in 2027 with Harvey set to be part of the experience.