Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis and the Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek, today called on women in leadership and advocacy roles in sport to apply for a grant under the 2010–11 Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women program.

Applications are now open for the 2010–11 round of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the Australian Government Office for Women (OfW) Sports Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women.

The grants, jointly funded by ASC and OfW are looking to develop more Australian women in leadership and decision making roles in sport.

These Australian Government 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 ASC invites women from all areas and levels of the Australian sports community to apply, including women involved in sport as managers, administrators, media and communication officers, coaches, officials, and women in sport governance.

Women from culturally diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women in rural and regional areas and women with disability are encouraged to apply.

The grants include scholarships for women in upper sports management of up to $10 000 a year for three years, one-off grants of up to $5000 for individuals and up to $10 000 for approved organisations.

Last year’s grants supported 132 projects across the country in developing women’s leadership skills in their sport. Now in its ninth year, these grants have supported more than 16 000 women around Australia.

Ms Ellis said the grants provide a tangible way for women to obtain the skills and attributes required to succeed in sport leadership roles.

‘Women like Rachael Roberts, who used her grant to complete a company director’s course,’ Ms Ellis said.

‘Rachael is currently General Manager of Commercial and Communications at Swimming Australia.

‘Young, CEO of Women’s Golf Victoria, used her grant to take an leadership course to help develop managers within her organisation.

‘These leaders will inspire greater participation in sport for women, from grassroots to the future female leaders in Australian sports.

‘The Government strongly supports those women who would like to progress in Australian sport to become the elite coaches, administrators and managers of the future,’ Ms Ellis said.

‘We want to provide the education and development opportunities to help women reach their full potential in sports leadership,’ Ms Plibersek said.

‘This program aims to increase the number of women in executive positions in our top 40 sporting organisations from current levels of just 13 per cent.’

Applications close on Friday 30 April 2010.

For more details about the Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women program visit the link below or call 1800 224 412.