‘Inspiring’ and ‘energising’ are just two of the words participants have used to describe the recent workshops held for recipients of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women.

During the workshops, grant and scholarship recipients learn the principles of leadership, including effective communication, conflict resolution and influencing change. As a result of the workshops’ growing popularity, double the number have been held across Australia this year.

Workshop facilitator Sue Cormack says she hopes that participants take away a more developed confidence in their role as a leader, along with motivation to further advance their own leadership capabilities.

‘[The workshops] give us shared perspectives from a range of sport contexts and through that we better understand leadership in action [and] the challenges and achievements of women from a vast range of leadership contexts,’ Cormack said.

Workshop attendee and high performance youth administrator for Athletics Australia, Rosie Ditton, said the workshop reinforced the message for her that ‘there really is a place for women in sport administration and management’.

‘With so many amazing women in sport I was fascinated to see the different career paths these women were pursuing. I felt inspired.’

Another workshop attendee, secretary of Victoria’s Highett Football Club, Robyn Cochrane, agreed: ‘I was fascinated by some of the stories, scenarios and incidents shared by the participants. The open forum style discussion topics opened my eyes to some of the complexities surrounding sport at the grassroots, state and national levels.

‘For me, the course was a timely reminder of key leadership and interpersonal skills that can make a difference when interacting with a variety of individuals. The investment by the Australian Sports Commission in this quality workshop for women is to be commended,’ Cochrane said.