New ASC Course Promotes Diversity in Sporting Leadership

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has launched a free online course, ‘The Players – Board Diversity,’ aimed at empowering sporting leaders to champion diversity and inclusion within their organisations. This initiative is part of the ASC’s broader governance education series, which includes courses such as ‘The Start Line,’ ‘The Defence,’ and ‘The Spirit of the Game.’

Driving Positive Change Through Diversity

The course emphasises the transformative benefits of diverse leadership, showcasing how varied skills, perspectives, and experiences among senior leaders enhance decision-making and organizational performance. ASC CEO Kieren Perkins OAM underlined the significance of this initiative:

“The ASC is committed to creating an effective and sustainable national sport sector that benefits all Australians. With the right skills and knowledge, sporting leaders can help make their organizations stronger and more successful.”

Expert Contributions from Sporting Leaders

‘The Players – Board Diversity’ features insights from a range of esteemed contributors, including:

• Paul Stevens, Chair of AusTriathlon
• Selwyn Button, Indigenous leader from Queensland Rugby Union
• Rana Hussain, Director at the Victorian Women’s Trust
• Dan Poynton, Director of Regional Sport Victoria
• Molina Asthana, lawyer and founder of Multicultural Women in Sport
• Dr. Bridie Kean PLY, ASC Commissioner

These leaders share their experiences and strategies to help participants understand the value of diversity in governance and how to implement it effectively.

A Step Toward Gender Equity in Sports Governance

This launch comes on the heels of the National Gender Equity in Sport Governance Policy, an initiative addressing the underrepresentation of women in sports leadership roles. The course aims to further this mission by providing tools and strategies to foster inclusivity at all levels of governance.

What the Course Offers

Through six concise modules, learners will:

• Gain insights into the importance of diversity and inclusion in Australia
• Learn to assess their organization’s needs
• Understand how a diverse board can drive organizational success

The course is designed for both current and aspiring board members, requiring only about one hour to complete.

Accessible and Free

The ASC’s ‘The Players – Board Diversity’ course is free and open to all sporting leaders. To enroll or learn more, visit sportaus.gov.au/governance/education.