Expression of Interest - Become an Intersectionality Implementation Lead in Sport

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An all-inclusive approach to governance and leadership in Australian sport

The Australian Sports Commission has worked with Myriad Kofkin Global to develop an Intersectionality Roadmap for the Australian sporting sector titled, An All-Inclusive approach to governance and leadership in Australian Sport.

The Roadmap is driven by the vision that sport should be accessible to everyone, delivering outcomes that make Australia proud.

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) recognises that achieving this vision requires building inclusive cultures, systems, practices, and processes within the sporting system.

Below are some useful strategies and resources sports can utilise to ensure everyone feels welcomed and valued.

PURPOSE

There are a plethora of benefits for sports organisations adopting the Roadmap.

Who is the Roadmap for?

The Roadmap was developed for anyone with decision-making responsibilities or in a governance or leadership role in a sports organisation.

It is a guide to starting the journey of intersectional practice in governance and leadership.

Sporting bodies across Australia have increasingly recognised the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives. However, despite progress, many still struggle to address the complex intersections of identity that shape individuals’ experiences within the sector.

Traditional approaches to diversity often fail to fully address the unique challenges faced by individuals who experience multiple forms of marginalisation. Without intentional efforts to incorporate an intersectional perspective, sports organisations risk perpetuating systemic inequalities and missing out on the talents and perspectives of diverse populations.

Australia’s demographic data tells us that the need for inclusive practices in sport is more pressing than ever:

• 3.2% of the Australian population identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (an increase of 25.2% since 2016)
• over half of Australians are first- or second-generation migrants
• 50.7% of Australia’s population identify as female
• 21.4% of Australians have a disability¹

Adopting the intersectionality Roadmap can provide numerous benefits for sports organisations.

Sports organisations can foster increased participation from underrepresented groups, tapping into a wider pool of talent and broadening the reach of their programs.

By prioritising the principles of intersectionality in governance and leadership, sports organisations can create a more equitable, vibrant, and resilient sporting landscape for all.

Intersectionality strengthens all diversity and inclusion efforts!

Ready, Set, Go!

The roadmap is arranged into three practical sections: Ready, Set, Go!

Game Rules:

Just like an athlete cannot compete without all the preparatory work that goes into developing the physical and mental aptitude required for competition, your leadership and governance team cannot produce the intended results by going to straight to Go.

However, the Roadmap does adopt a flexible approach. There are no specific timelines for working through each section. The pace at which you work through it will depend on the size of your sports organisation, level of commitment, time and resources you are willing to commit. The sooner you implement GO, the sooner you will see results."

Case Studies

• 37704_Case-Study-1-FIFA-World-Cup-an-intersectional-lens-acc.pdf
• 37704_Case-Study-2-Gender-Audits-in-Sport-an-intersectional-lens-acc.pdf
• 37704_Case-Study-3-Sports-Governance-Standards-an-intersectional-lens-FA-acc.pdf
• 37704_Intersectionality-additional-resources-acc.pdf

Video Case Studies

Practical Tools

• 37704_Tool-1-Diversity-and-Inclusion-v-Justice-and-Equity-acc.pdf
• 37704_Tool-2-Critical-Reflection-acc.pdf
• 37704_Tool-3-Who-holds-influence-in-your-organisation-acc.pdf
• 37704_Tool-4-Power-Analyse-Exercise-acc.pdf
• 37704_Tool-5-How-to-lead-with-a-systems-change-lens-acc.pdf
• 37704_Tool-6-Intersectional-Policy-Analysis-acc.pdf
• 37704_Tool-7-Exploring-your-identity-and-privilege-Power-Flower-acc.pdf
• 37704_Tool-8-Unpacking-bias-A-walk-in-the-park-acc.pdf

Ricky Baldwin – Empowering First Nations Youth Through Basketball

ASC All Inclusive Leadership Ricky Baldwin -

Ricky Baldwin, Founder of Koorie Academy Basketball, leverages the power of sport to promote cultural identity and empower First Nations youth. Baldwin’s initiatives highlight the importance of cultural pride and provide opportunities for young people to connect with their heritage and develop leadership skills through sport. His leadership calls for greater acknowledgement and representation of First Nations voices within sports governance.

“For me, it’s bigger than sport because you are actually teaching life skills. We are empowering them to come back and give to community to be future leaders.”

Teuila Reid: Leading with Empathy and Intersectionality

ASC All Inclusive Leadership Teuila Reid -

Teuila Reid, General Manager of Helping Hoops, advocates for a leadership style centred on empathy and intersectionality. Reid challenges conventional power structures by prioritising the needs of the most marginalised communities. Her leadership approach encourages leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue and make inclusive decisions that reflect the diverse realities of those they serve.

“Intersectionality to me is the structure of power and how power influences how we see ourselves, and therefore the decisions we make on how we live.”

Irena Farinacci – From Exclusion to Inclusion in Tennis

ASC All Inclusive Leadership Irena Farinacci -

As the National Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator at Tennis Australia, Irena Farinacci is transforming the tennis landscape to strengthen inclusion. Farinacci’s work focuses on shifting the narrative, using personal stories and lived experiences to drive this change. Her commitment to creating welcoming spaces within the sport highlights the importance of embracing and valuing diverse perspectives.

“I think sharing stories from myself and listening to stories by others enables us to really learn from each other.”

Ayden Shaw – Building Inclusive Sports for All Abilities

ASC All Inclusive Leadership Ayden Shaw -

Ayden Shaw, General Manager of Disability Sports Australia, is dedicated to making sports accessible and inclusive for individuals of all abilities. Shaw’s leadership is grounded in empathy, with a focus on creating safe and welcoming environments. His advocacy for intersectionality in sports governance ensures that sports organisations are equipped to meet the diverse needs of all participants, promoting a more inclusive sporting culture.

“I think the number one skill set that a leader needs to have is empathy. The ability to not just understand others but be able to genuinely think from their viewpoint.”

Sarah Loh – Breaking Barriers Through Sport

ASC All Inclusive Leadership Sarah Loh -

Sarah Loh, CEO of Softball Australia, understands the power of sport to break down social barriers and foster inclusion. Drawing from her own experiences of exclusion, Loh leverages her leadership to create environments where everyone feels they belong. Her emphasis on co-design and collaboration highlights the importance of developing sports systems and responses that are both meaningful and reflective of community aspirations.

“I am proud to be a change leader. I’m happy to be open and discuss being a female, being Asian, if it means it’s going to impact the next generation.”

Molina Asthana – Championing Diversity in Sports Governance

ASC All Inclusive Leadership Molina Asthana -

Molina Asthana, Chair of Gymnastics Victoria, exemplifies how diverse leadership can transform sports governance. Asthana advocates for the inclusion of women from diverse backgrounds in sports and challenges traditional structures to ensure that diverse voices have a seat at the decision-making table. Her approach highlights the critical role of lived experience in shaping inclusive policies that benefit all members of the sporting community.

“To lead, you have to challenge, and I’m constantly challenging structures that create, sustain, or perpetuate bias.”

First Nations Australians Cultural, racial and linguistically diverse communities LGBTIQ+ communities People with disability Intersectionality Women and girls