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Women and girls

Australian Sports Commission is determined to have more Australians participating and excelling in sport, from grass-roots right up to the pinnacle of elite competition.

Our country has an incredible connection to sport. Every Australian should have the opportunity to be involved in sport – as a participant, an official, an administrator or as a volunteer.

From grassroots to the elite level, it's imperative that the sport sector increases the representation of women and girls in sport to better reflect Australian society and create a fairer and more inclusive environment.

Harnessing the full potential of women and girls in sport will create positive social and economic change, with benefits for individuals, communities, sports organisations and the broader sports industry (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2019).

Australian Sports Commission is determined to have more Australians participating and excelling in sport, from grass-roots right up to the pinnacle of elite competition.

Strategies

  • Advocate for equal representation at all levels including coaching and on club committees.
  • Create a safe and welcoming place.
  • Promote initiatives for females to the public, i.e. profile female role models, and ensure equal representation in imagery and social content.
  • Provide accessible activities and facilities such as equal access to courts/pitches, female-only activities, appropriate changing rooms and toilets.
  • Allow participation in flexible uniforms such as hijabs for Muslim females.
  • Instigate a zero-tolerance policy towards any type of prejudice or behaviour that puts the wellbeing of women and girls at risk.
  • Provide a pathway and opportunities for progression and career development.
  • Emphasise and support the social aspects of sport.
  • Offer alternative/modified formats.
  • Ask women and girls for input and feedback.
  • Deliver group activities.
  • Providing activities at the right time of the day/week.
  • Reduce financial barriers.
  • Promote women into decision-making roles in your club.
  • Create a pipeline for women contenders for committee  roles and promote gender balance in selection processes.
  • Provide training opportunities to increase women’s capabilities for advancement.
  • Develop policies that are gender inclusive, and that club culture promotes gender equality.
  • Ensure the requirements for committee membership are free from discrimination and bias.
  • Create opportunities to educate boys and men about the benefits of gender equality through sport.

Resources

Best practice examples

WOMEN LEADERS IN SPORT

To help achieve gender equality in sport, the Australian Sports Commission established the Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) program. The program has supported more than 26,000 women and more than 800 sport organisations to support women leaders  within sport.

READ MORE

THIS GIRL CAN - VICTORIA

This Girl Can, a VicHealth initiative, is all about empowering Victorian women to enjoy being active without worrying about judgement, gender stereotypes or skill level.

READ MORE, opens in a new tab

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