Victorian Government Opens Expanded Women Leadership In Sport Program

The Victorian Government has announced the opening of its expanded ‘Change our Game Women in Governance Program’, with the goal of creating more opportunities for women to achieve in sporting board positions.

Victorian minister for community sport, Ros Spence, said the program follows the successful pilot program in 2020 which saw 25 women graduate and many take up executive positions within the sports industry, such as Swimming Victoria board member, Michelle Harris.

“The initiative is crucial to empowering women and boosting representation in leadership positions across sport and active recreation organisations,” Spence said.

“We’re creating more opportunities for women to demonstrate their skills and promote a more inclusive culture in sports leadership,” she said.

The program is targeted at women who are currently working or volunteering in the sport and recreation sector and are new or aspiring directors, with the focus on helping them gain knowledge, skills, and abilities specific for board positions at regional, state and national levels.

As part of the 2021 program the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation has partnered with the Australian Institute of Company Directors to deliver the three-day program, with a comprehensive overview of directorship such as governance, strategy, risk and finance.

The Office for Women in Sport and Recreation head, Sarah Styles, said: “The Office for Women in Sport and Recreation is pleased to be able to support women to thrive in governance roles through this program, whether they are early in their director journey or seeking that first opportunity.”