Opportunity for sporting organisations to boost gender equity

Sporting organisations looking to build stronger, more inclusive cultures are being encouraged to apply for the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC) Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) Executive Program. 

Now in its fourth year, the program is open to national sporting organisations, national sporting organisations for people with disability and state sport organisations looking to access expert guidance on gender equity. 

CEO of Disability Sports Australia Ayden Shaw believes every sport can gain something from this program, saying it’s a great opportunity to focus on the workplace culture you want to build. 

“We’d always cared about people and culture, but a lot of what we were doing just kind of happened over time without much structure. This gave us the chance to step back and look at what good practice actually looks like,” Shaw said. 

35 sporting organisations have previously taken part in the Executive Program, which offers successful sports a Gender Equity & Inclusion Assessment Audit, a Gender Equity and Inclusion Action Plan, tailored interactive workshops and learning experiences and access to subject matter experts to support sports with implementation. 

“The self-assessment and the structured support really stood out. The Executive Program has made a big difference for us, even as a small organisation, we’ve been able to introduce a compressed working week, improve gender balance in our team, and create a Disability Advisory Committee to better reflect the community we serve,” Shaw said. 

Managed by the ASC and funded by the Australian Government, the WLIS programs have supported more than 28,000 women and over 800 sporting organisations to elevate women leaders in sport. 

For Table Tennis Australia, the WLIS Executive Program has acted as a stepping stone with the sport going on to receive a WLIS Organisation Grant this year.  

“We now have funding for specific project activities relating to the outcomes of the WLIS Executive Program,” CEO Nicole Adamson said.  

“I genuinely believe that we would not be as advanced in this process as we are without the funding and support provided through the ASC.” 

Sporting organisations have until 18 August to apply. For more information and to apply, please visit: Executive Program | Australian Sports Commission