When CEO of Women’s Golf Victoria, Bronwen Young, started with the organisation in April 2007, she could have been overwhelmed; balancing the intricacies of relationships between the volunteer board she reports to and the paid administrative team she manages. Instead, she saw the challenge as an opportunity to improve her leadership skills.

To help her realise this opportunity, Young made use of an Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Sport Leadership Grant for Women to take an emotional intelligence leadership course for middle and senior managers. Emotional intelligence (EI) techniques are used by managers to help them understand their own emotions, recognise the emotional states of other people and groups, and use that information effectively.

The ASC and Office for Women’s Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships are offered to inspire and assist women in the sports industry to reach their full potential in leadership, through education and development opportunities.

The three-day intensive residential program Young took with the Melbourne Business School focused on managers improving their EI skills, which, in turn, helps improve productivity and performance across business teams as well as enhancing their understanding of individuals when managing teams.

‘I have extensive business experience and have managed large teams in previous roles but I’m always keen to improve my skills and knowledge,’ Young said. ‘I felt that [this course] would help me better understand and manage the dynamic between my administrative team and the Board.’

Young said the course more than fulfilled her expectations.

‘I found it to be the most enlightening and enjoyable development program I have completed. The program has validated my management style and techniques … I have also learned valuable insights on how to improve my EI skills in the areas of emotional self-management and emotional self-control.

‘It is a way of improving my leadership capabilities for my current role and any future roles I may choose to take [and] I was delighted to get assistance from the Australian Sports Commission for part funding of the program.’

Young also negotiated a part scholarship with the Melbourne Business School and received funding from Women’s Golf Victoria to cover course costs.

Australian sport will reap the benefit of the ASC and Office for Women’s support for the 132 women leaders awarded funding through 2008/09 Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women. Applications for the 2010/11 round will open early 2010.