IPSWICH’S next female sporting CEOs have been handed a boost to help kick off their sports administration careers.
The opportunity comes through $370,000 worth of grants recently announced under the Federal Government’s Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) initiative.
The program has provided leadership opportunities for more than 20 years and has created continued success from the boardroom to the sporting arena.
Sporting organisations can also apply for grants for projects that create more leadership pathways for women and more diverse and inclusive workplaces.
Federal Blair MP Shayne Neumann said hundreds of emerging female leaders would benefit from the program’s $370,000 in grants.
“You can’t be what you can’t see, and it is clear this program is creating a culture of valuing gender equity,” Mr Neumann said.
“WLIS isn’t just helping change today’s sporting landscape, it’s opening doors for generations to come.
“There are many talented female athletes, and up and coming coaches and administrators here in Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area.
“We need these women and girls to see themselves as future CEOs at sporting organisations and clubs.”
WLIS is managed by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) with support from the Office for Women and funded through the Australian Government’s Women’s Leadership and Development Program.
ASC CEO and former Queensland swim star Kieren Perkins OAM said WLIS had helped strengthen the role of women leaders in sport for more than two decades.
“Since 2002, WLIS has supported more than 26,000 women and 800 sport organisations.
“We have also expanded the opportunities provided through WLIS over the past 12 months with more than 500 women across 34 sports progressing their careers.
“We are proud of this program which is driving positive social change and championing equal representation in sport,” Mr Perkins said.
Previous grant recipients have described the leadership training as gratifying and helping expand leadership and management opportunities in their sport.
Rowing Australia used its grant for a project aimed at increasing the number of women in high performance coaching positions in the sport.
