AusLeisure

The Victoria Government has announced the creation of a new body dedicated to improving gender equality in sport.

Speaking at the Victorian Government’s inaugural Female Friendly Facilities Symposium at the MCG today (26th May), Minister for Sport John Eren announced the establishment of Victoria’s first Office for Women in Sport and Recreation.

The Office will implement the nine Game Plan Inquiry recommendations from the recent Inquiry into Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation and deliver further Change Our Game initiatives to increase participation and enhance leadership opportunities in sport for females in Victoria.

Minister Eren explained “record numbers of women and girls are signing on to play at grassroots clubs (and they) deserve modern, safe, welcoming and inclusive facilities that support them to thrive and realise their dreams.”

Minister Eren cites female participation in cricket, which has reached record figures - growing to 88,000 women and girls playing cricket in Victoria - that includes 150 new junior girl’s teams in 2016/17.

The Office will work closely with local governments, state sporting associations, regional sports assemblies and other sector organisations to strengthen the collaborative effort needed to lead and drive sustainable change.

The Victorian Budget 2017/18 will invest an additional $6.2 million to level the playing field for women, both on and off the field, including education and cultural change initiatives, an annual ‘Play Lead Succeed’ landmark event, annual leadership scholarships, a new leadership forums series, and strengthening female friendly coaching efforts.

The Budget also provides an additional $4 million to extend the successful $10 million Female Friendly Facilities Program to invest in female change rooms across Victoria. The new Office for Women in Sport and Recreation will also focus on identifying the policies and infrastructure required across Victoria to create female and family environments.

Minister Eren added “we are changing the game for women in sport. It’s not good enough to have women and girls changing in the back of cars to play the sports they love. It’s unfair – that’s why we are fixing it.”

Image: Victoria's Change our Game initiative.

23rd May 2017 - AUSTRALIAN SPORTS COMMISSION IDENTIFIES NEED FOR MORE FEMALE COACHES 

4th May 2017 - VICTORIAN BUDGET CONFIRMS NEXT STAGE OF GEELONG’S SIMONDS STADIUM UPGRADE

23rd Febraury 2017 - AWRA TO TRADE AS WOMEN SPORT AUSTRALIA

24th November 2016 - MELBOURNE CITY FC LAUNCH ELITE WOMEN’S TRAINING FACILITY

21st November 2016 - VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT COMMITS $4 MILLION TO GET WOMEN AND DIVERSE COMMUNITIES PLAYING SPORT

20th September 2015 - GUIDE AIMS TO MAKE SPORT MORE WELCOMING FOR VICTORIAN WOMEN

15th September 2016 - VICTORIAN AUDITOR-GENERAL’S REPORT REVEALS KEY CHALLENGES FOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

1st September 2016 - NEW CONFERENCE CHAMPIONING WOMEN IN SPORT

28th April 2016 - VICTORIAN BUDGET CONFIRMS INVESTMENTS IN SPORT FACILITIES 

1st January 2016 - VICTORIAN SPORT REPORT CALLS FOR BOARDS TO APPOINT WOMEN OR LOSE FUNDING

8th October 2015 - VICTORIA REVEALS NEW APPROACH TO INFRASTRUCTURE AND DESIGN

3rd August 2015 - FEMALE FRIENDLY FACILITIES BACKED AS PART OF $100 MILLION INVESTMENT IN VICTORIAN GRASSROOTS SPORT

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.