In a boost for female participation in sport, the NSW Labor Government is today delivering on it's election commitment to ensure our State Sporting Organisations are better funded to provide for our grassroots sporting communities.
A key component of the election promise was to drive outcomes for women in sport, in governance, as coaches, or building the next generation of female leaders.
As part of the Organisational Support Program a new project to deliver the next generation of female sporting leaders was launched today following an agreement between the NSW Government and peak body Sport NSW.
The NSW Government will provide $250,000 to Sport NSW to deliver the Female Leadership and Fair Play Project which will expand on Sport NSW's female leadership and Fast Track for Female Coaches program to increase the number of female leaders and coaches in NSW sport.
The project will also support the implementation of the NSW Sport Fair Play network which will support and advise on initiative to make community sport environments more welcoming and supportive for participants at a grass root level.
The aim of this initiative is to build a pipeline of board ready female leaders to support gender equity on boards and close the gender gap amongst coaches in pathway and elite coaching roles.
NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
"The NSW Government is committed to supporting pathways for female coaches and officials in sport.
"Participants in this project will become role models for future female coaches and athletes, increasing the depth of knowledge and expertise among female coaches in this state.
"Importantly, it will also create a pipeline of board-ready female leaders, resulting in increased gender equity on boards in the future."
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:
"The NSW Government is committed to improving gender equality and one of the ways it is doing this is the Female Leadership and Fair Play Project to increase the number of female leaders and coaches.
"Research shows that organisations with women in leadership positions leads to a decline in their gender pay gap.
"Therefore, it is vital that we provide women and girls pathways to leadership so we can continue to address gender quality and the pay gap in sport.
"It's not only good for women, it's good for sport."
Sport NSW Chair Chris Hall said:
"The Female Leadership and Fair Play Project aims to increase knowledge and capability among female coaches, match officials and leaders at NSW sporting organisations.
"This funding will allow us to develop more female leaders across the sport sector.
"Sport NSW looks forward to partnering with sporting organisations so even more women have the opportunity to become coaches, senior administrators and board directors."
Paralympic Gold Medallist and NSW Institute of Sport Coach and program presenter Louise Sauvage OAM said:
"It is vital that we provide programs that support the pathway development of female coaches, match officials and leaders.
"Importantly, this project also aims to improve inclusiveness in sport by providing guidance and education to leaders on inclusive participation opportunities."
