Women Leaders in Sport Workshop making an impact
One in 10 women who attended the 2021 Women Leaders in Sport workshop have since stepped into a more senior role in sport. Applications for the 2022 workshops are now open.
01 March 2022
Over the past 12 months there’s been some significant shifts across the sport sector thanks to Sport Australia’s Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) workshops.
New research has revealed that one in 10 women who attended the 2021 workshop have since stepped into a more senior role in sport.
Furthermore 93 per cent reported feeling more confident in their role and 92 per cent plan to progress into a senior position in the near future.
Following this success, Sport Australia is thrilled to announce that applications for the 2022 workshops are now open.
Past WLIS participant Lou Broadfoot said the workshop opened her eyes to a new world of opportunities.
‘’In August 2021 I started a new career as a Senior Integrity Officer with Tennis Australia after some 20 years as a Police Officer.
‘’It’s been a great opportunity to combine my policing skills in investigating, interviewing and conflict management with my sporting background as an Australian cricket player, coach and administrator,’’ Broadfoot said.
Suzie Butler followed a similar path, switching to a full-time role in sport soon after completing the workshop.
‘’It gave me the confidence to rip off the security blanket of local government and accept a new role as Executive Project Officer with Gymnastics WA,’’ Butler said.
‘’I knew that if I wanted to be a great leader and learn how to apply the skills then this was the opportunity for a new direction.’’
The free seven-week workshop commences in May and is on offer to all women administrators, coaches, officials, volunteers and sports journalists.
For Clare Gallon it led to a new role as President of Norths Basketball Club in Canberra.
‘’After completing the workshop I felt a renewed sense of optimism, knowing that I do indeed have the skill sets to succeed,’’ Gallon said.
Professional Development Expert Sue Cormack will host the workshop and delve into topics such as emotional intelligence, behavioural boundaries and leading change.
Kirsty Wrice confirmed that the lessons learnt were invaluable and led to her first leadership role as the Digital and Communications Executive at Golf Australia.
‘’The workshop brought together like-minded and passionate women from all different sports and we discussed a range of topics, pain points and opportunities for mutual encouragement and benefit,’’ Wrice said.
With 150 spots on offer Sport Australia is now encouraging all eligible women to apply and listen to the advice of past participants.
‘’You can take the path of least resistance and use one of these reasons to keep doing what you’ve always done, or you can acknowledge that there will never be a ‘right time’ and instead make ‘the right move’,” Broadfoot said.
Applications for the 2022 Women Leaders in Sport Workshop close Friday March 11 at 5pm AEDT.
More information can be found via the Women Leaders in Sport web page.
93 per cent of 2021 Women Leaders in Sport participants reported feeling more confident in their role and 92 per cent plan to progress into a senior position in the near future.
