Programs, policies and supporting structures

National Gender Equity in Sport Governance Policy

In September 2024 the Australian Government announced the launch of the National Gender Equity in Sport Governance Policy to address the under representation of women in sports leadership.

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) worked closely with all of the State and Territory Agencies of Sport and Recreation (STASRs) to co-design the policy.

The policy requires the Australian sport sector to reach the following standards by 1 July 2027:

• 50% of all board directors are women and/or gender diverse
• 50% of chairs/deputy chairs are women and/or gender diverse
• 50% of specified sub-committee members are women and/or gender diverse.

Organisations will be required to report annually through the Sports Governance Standards self-assessment on their status against Gender Equity Targets and their systems that ensure gender equity.

Each jurisdiction will adopt its own mechanisms to reach the targets and timeframes, with Government funding to be withheld from national organisations that do not comply.

The Policy does not apply to community clubs and associations or to professional clubs and leagues, although the government encourages them to voluntarily adopt the policy.

To learn more about the Policy and what it means for your sport visit the National Gender Equity in Sports Governance Policy resources page.

Sports Diplomacy 2030

Developed by the Australian Department of Health, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Sports Commission, Tourism Australia, and Austrade Sports Diplomacy 2030 is the second Australian sport diplomacy strategy.

A key focus of the Strategy is to help more women and girls participate in grassroots sport in the Pacific region. This includes dedicated funding to help address participation barriers and to build capacity of staff and coaches to embrace diversity and inclusion, focus on gender equality, women's leadership, and issues such as gender-based violence.

The Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) program

The Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) program is an Australian Government initiative that is managed by the Australian Sports Commission in partnership with the Office for Women. The WLIS program aims to provide development opportunities enabling more women to reach their full leadership potential in the sports industry. From career start, through to boardroom, the program ensures that women are exposed to and receive targeted development.

Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Talent Program

The AIS runs several Talent Programs focused on advancing women in coaching, Executive, and Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, and Medicine (STEMM) roles, with the overall purpose of increasing depth, diversity and representation of women in Australian sport.

AIS Athlete Accelerate Program

Launched in 2021, the AIS Accelerate program provides a unique experience for retired women athletes who are pursuing career options in the sport sector. The program, which is supported through the Office for Women, has a career and personal development focus and provides opportunities to acquire knowledge, skills and tools to navigate a professional career in sport.

Female Performance and Health Initiative (FPHI)

The AIS Female Performance and Health Initiative (FPHI) was established in October 2019, to improve female athlete specific knowledge and systems of support. The initiative will benefit Australian sport sector athletes, coaches, parents, sporting organisations, and support staff. It will deliver educational opportunities and resources and raise awareness of key female athlete performance and health considerations.

AIS Respectful Behaviours Management Framework

The AIS Respectful Behaviours Management Framework has been developed by the AIS in conjunction with Deakin University to assist sports recognise and address issues surrounding gender-based inequalities and violence, power imbalances, and athlete/athlete and coach/athlete relations within their high performance (HP) sporting environments.

Inclusive Sport

To promote more inclusive sport practices in our community, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) have identified a variety of easy-to-use tools and resources to help sports and clubs understand, recognise and celebrate inclusion and diversity.

• Women and girls, (accessed 27 March 2023).

Sport and Recreation support an active community and are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Canberrans.

Programs, resources and reports

• Female Friendly Change Rooms, ACT Government, (September 2017). Provides information and advice on how to deliver more inclusive and comfortable change room facilities for all to use.

The NSW Office of Sport is the lead NSW Government agency for sport and active recreation.

Her Sport Her Way: shaping the future of women's sport in NSW 2019-2023, NSW Government, (December 2018). 'Her Sport Her Way' has been developed following stakeholder consultation to drive powerful change for women and girls in sport in NSW, leaving a lasting legacy for the way women’s sport is played, led, promoted, and consumed. The four-year strategy features 29 initiatives that aim to increase women’s and girls’ participation as players, leaders and coaches, improve facilities, and attract more investment and recognition for women’s sport.

Programs, resources, and reports

• Her Sport Her Way: Action plans and highlight reports, (accessed 28 March 2023).
• Her Sport Her Way grants, (accessed 28 March 2023). Provides up to $2.6 million over four years to assist state sporting organisations grow their game for women and girls, reduce barriers to participation, and promote inclusive sport experiences.
• Her Sport Her Way Awards, (accessed 28 March 2023). The Her Sport Her Way Awards recognise and celebrate the individuals, clubs and organisations who are giving women and girls more opportunities and equal access to participate in their sport.
• Participation Planning Tool, (accessed 28 March 2023). While sporting organisations agree more women and girls should participate in sport, there is often a lack of understanding of how to go about it. This interactive, online Tool can help organisations create a strategy or program for increasing sport participation for women and girls.
• Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered program, (accessed 28 March 2023). Developed by the University of Newcastle, Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered is an award-winning, evidence-based program proven to enhance the physical and social-emotional well-being of girls.
• Think Tanks and planning workshops, (accessed 28 March 2023). Sharing the latest evidence, sport research and market insights, innovation in universal design, promising programs, case studies and learnings.
• Trendspotter Forum, (11 March 2022). The best and brightest from women’s sport and business gathered at the Sydney Theatre Company to see what's on the horizon and lay the foundations for a new holistic decision-making approach to investment.
• Collective Voices: Her Sport Her Way, NSW Office of Sport, (2019). Collective Voices is an online book showcasing stories of individuals and organisations that are driving positive change for women and girls in sport. Featuring four themes: Design Shapers, Dream Makers, Ceiling Smashers, and Game Changers, it celebrates the many and varied voices that are contributing to the women’s sport landscape including initiatives undertaken to bring the 'Her Sport Her Way' strategy to life.

The Northern Territory Government provides programs and facilities that help Territorians access sport, recreation and cultural activities.

Programs, resources, and reports

• Northern Territory Women in Sport Advisory Committee Final Report Summary, (2019). Provides an overview of recommendations made to the Northern Territory Government by the Northern Territory Women in Sport Advisory Committee’s Final Report.

The Queensland Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport offers a range of grants to help the sports industry to develop programs and facilities. While not specifically identifying programs targeting women in the application criteria, such programs are not excluded

Activate! Queensland 2019-2029. A10-year strategy to get more Queenslanders moving, more often. One of the key identified priorities is to 'inspire female participation' including:

• Increasing participation rates of women and girls through initiatives aimed at improving the sport and active recreation experience.
• Harnessing the power of social connection and inclusion to motivate and inspire women and girls and raise the profile of women at all levels of sport and active recreation.
• Providing our female athletes, coaches and leaders with pathways to high performance sport to encourage equity and success.

Programs, resources, and reports

• Queensland Academy of Sport and Minerva Network Announce Partnership to Empower Females in Elite Sport, (12 June 2023). The QAS is the Queensland Government’s high-performance sport agency, dedicated to supporting athletes achieve their dreams through excellence in coaching, training, facilities, and cutting edge support services in science, medicine, technology, data and wellbeing. The Minerva Network is a national community of accomplished female leaders who are committed to empowering the next generation of female athletes and leaders. Together, the QAS and Minerva Network will provide QAS female athletes with the opportunity to participate in one-on-one mentorship and networking sessions with Minerva's network of accomplished female leaders.
• Start Playing, Stay Playing: A plan to increase and enhance sport and active recreation opportunities for women and girls, State of Queensland, (2013). This report presents the recommendations of the Committee after research and stakeholder consultation.
• Start Playing, Stay Playing - Appendix: A summary of the evidence and stakeholder insights into women’s and girls’ participation in sport and active recreation., State of Queensland, (2013).
• Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation Stakeholder Forum: Forum Report, Queensland Government, (2013). The Committee asked stakeholder organisations and institutions to consider what cultural and societal factors need to change to make sport and recreation more inviting for women and girls and how they view the role of government on this issue and what actions they believe the government should take to encourage more women and girls into sport and recreation. Nine key changes/approaches were identified:
  • enable flexible participation to allow women and girls to participate in sport and recreation whilst managing school, work and family priorities;
  • help women and girls to feel comfortable participating;
  • promote the social aspects of participation in sport and recreation;
  • provide a broader range of activities that women and girls are interested in;
  • promote role models and effectively market programs to women and girls;
  • support women as board and committee members, coaches and volunteers;
  • foster partnerships between organisations, clubs and schools to provide participation opportunities;
  • address the costs of participation; and,
  • address the issues with access to sporting and recreational facilities in regional, rural and remote areas.

The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing is the lead agency for the South Australian Government's policy on sport and active recreation.

• State Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Plan 2020-40, Government of South Australia, (2020). Under the Infrastructure plan Access for all highlights that "infrastructure must cater for the increase of female participation in ‘traditionally male’ sports and councils and sporting organisations need to show leadership and schedule equal access to facilities."

Programs, resources, and reports

• Sport and Women Wikipedia Project, (accessed 28 March 2023). This list includes both those born in South Australia and those who represented South Australia at Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth Games and the international level or who represented South Australia at the national level. Journalists and sports administrators who have made a significant contribution to development, promotion and advancement of women's sport in South Australia are also included in this list.
• The Power of Her - Infrastructure and Participation Program. The objective of the The Power of Her - Infrastructure and Participation Program (IPP) is to build on and deepen the legacy of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup by providing funding for dedicated facilities, improvements to facilities, equipment and programs for girls’ and women’s sport in South Australia. Successful projects will foster and enhance the participation of female athletes in sport by addressing key challenges and barriers to female participation.
• Keeping Young Women in Sport Project. The Office for Recreation and Sport funded several State Sport Organisations in 2013 to develop reports on how to keep young women involved in sport:
  • Lacrosse SA Project: Keeping Young Women in Sport, W. Piltz, Lacrosse SA, (2014). This study seeks to investigate the participation patterns of young women (15-24 years old) in Lacrosse in South Australia. It focuses on identifying the reasons why young women drop out from participation in the sport whilst others continue to participate. The study also focuses on identifying strategies to promote participation for young women in lacrosse to foster their retention in the sport.
  • Women’s Rowing in South Australia Engaging with the Future of Rowing, Jessica Molsher-Jones, Rowing South Australia, (2014). The report is designed to investigate into why young women between the ages of 15-24 choose not to be involved in Rowing within South Australia. It investigates the strengths and weaknesses of current and former rowing programs, facilities and experiences within the rowing community. The evaluations of these various factors are resourced from the responses of former and current rowers, as well as coaches. This is designed to better understand all possible influences directly attributed to the retention and loss of female rowers.

Sport and Recreation works to support, improve and promote opportunities for women and girls to participate in sport and recreation in Tasmania at all levels.

Programs, resources, and reports

• Girls in Action Sports Project (GASP): Final report, University of Tasmania, Menzies Institute for Medical Research and School of Social Sciences for Tasmanian Government and Womensport and Recreation Tasmania, (June 2021). The Girls in Action Sports Project (GASP) 2 was designed to better understand the enablers and barriers for girls in three male-dominated action sports – mountain biking, skateboarding and surfing.
  • Girls in Action Sports Project (GASP), Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, YouTube, (20 August 2021).
  • GASP study key findings [infographic], (May 2021)
• Women on State Sporting Organisation Boards, Department of Communities, Tasmanian Government, (March 2021). Since 2009, female representation on SSO boards has grown from 34.6 per cent to 44.5 per cent - a total increase of 9.9 per cent across a twelve-year period. In 2020 there were no SSO boards without female representation. This is the first time since reporting began that all SSO boards had one or more female board members. Additionally, no boards had less than 10 per cent female representation, which is again an improvement from 2019. The 2020 results indicate good progress compared to previous reports; however, there is still more work to be done:
  • Less than one in three SSO boards has a female president or chair.
  • In 2020, 40 per cent (12) of SSO boards had two females or less indicating a percentage of boards still have an insufficient number of females to achieve a gender balanced board.
• Female Participation Guidelines, (August 2019). The guidelines outline four principles organisations should invest in: raising the profile, places and spaces, diversity and equality, and leadership opportunities.

Sport and Recreation Victoria is working to inspire women and girls to participate and become leaders in sport at all levels. There are a range of grants to help the sports industry to develop programs and facilities. Alongside more general grants there are currently several that specifically target increases in female sport and physical activity participation.

• Change Our Game Professional Development Scholarships Program. Provides professional development opportunities to women at different stages of their career pathway, from individuals new to the workforce, to those returning from a career break, through to CEOs and new and aspiring directors. In 2023-24, the program offers four streams: Learning, Next Generation Leaders; Executiv, and Governance.
• Change Our Game Community Activation Grants program. Funds one-off community level events that showcase and celebrate the role of women and girls in sport and active recreation.
• Change Our Game Research Grants Program. The 2022-23 Change Our Game Research Grants Program provides grants of up to $25,000 to eligible Victorian university researchers to support projects investigating emerging issues and identifying solutions to address barriers for women and girls’ participation and leadership in sport and active recreation in Victoria.
• Change Our Game Women in Sports Broadcasting Program. The 2023-24 program offers a Foundation Program designed for individuals either looking to start, or are in the early stages of, a sports media career.

In 2019 the Victorian Government became the first state in Australia to mandate that all sport and active recreation organisations funded by the State Government must comply with a mandatory 40% women (or men) on Board quota.

• Balance the Board, Victorian Government Change our Game media, (accessed 28 January 2021). By 1 July 2019 all sport and active recreation organisations funded by Sport and Recreation Victoria and the Victorian Government will be expected to comply with the mandatory 40% women on Board quota.
• Mandatory Board Quotas, Vicsport, (2019). Dr. Bridie O'Donnell, Head; Office for Women and Sport and Recreation along with a few SSAs share their insights as to how they are taking action in order to meet the mandatory board quota by July 1 2019.

Office for Women in Sport and Recreation.

The Office for Women in Sport and Recreation was created in 2017 to implement the nine recommendations from the Inquiry into Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation and deliver further Change Our Game initiatives to boost participation and create more leadership opportunities in sport for women. It is supported by the biggest investment by any state government into facilities, participation, leadership opportunities, and professional and grassroots sport and active recreation for girls and women. The aim is to support and encourage women in leadership roles, ensuring they are not subject to unfair or unfavourable treatment because of their gender, sexuality, appearance, age or any other personal characteristics protected by anti-discrimination law.

• Inquiry into Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation: A five year game plan for Victoria, Government of Victoria, Women in Sport and Recreation Taskforce (November 2015). The advisory panel reviewed current research and reports and sought public feedback on the current issues women are experiencing, which present barriers to participation and leadership, as well as possible solutions. The overwhelming message from the consultations was that there are many women and girls with the talent and desire to contribute to the sport and active recreation sector, but the opportunities to participate and lead were either elusive or not readily evident. Four key themes emerged concerning participation and leadership by girls and women: (1) leadership, clear goals and measurement are the first necessary ingredients to create and support change; (2) changes to traditional structures and ways of working are essential to developing new participation and leadership opportunities; (3) new ways of ‘thinking’ and ‘doing’ need to be nurtured through education and training, and; (4) visibility is important - promotion of female sport and active recreation opportunities, leadership, pathways, and role models.

Programs, resources, and reports

• Female friendly sport infrastructure guidelines, Sport and Recreation Victoria, (2017). Information and advice about developing gender equitable sports and recreation facilities. The information assists community sport and recreation clubs, governing sport bodies, recreation facility management organisations, as well as local government bodies.
• Guidelines for the recruitment and retention of women in leadership roles: a toolkit for Victorian sport, Victorian Government, (2016). This toolkit has been developed to assist organisations in the sports and active recreation sector to increase the number of women in leadership roles in their organisation, at board and senior management level. It provides an overview of the benefits of increasing women’s leadership in your organisation. It is a practical resource you can use to review and develop your recruitment practices, and to increase the attraction and retention of women in leadership roles in your organisation.

VicHealth programs and reports

• This Girl Can - Victoria. Based on Sport England’s highly successful This Girl Can campaign, This Girl Can – Victoria is here to celebrate and support Victorian women embracing physical activity in a way that suits you. Whether it’s a little or a lot, what matters is getting some movement into your day.
  • This Girl Can keeps Victorian women moving through lockdown, (30 November 2020). Close to 320,000 Victorian women have been inspired to keep moving during coronavirus restrictions as a result of VicHealth’s This Girl Can – Victoria campaign.
• Changing the Game: Increasing Female Participation in Sport Initiative. In October 2014 VicHealth announced $1.2 million to get more Victorian women and girls involved in sport. The program aimed to create new opportunities to increase female participation in sport and raise the profile of women’s sport in Victoria. It concluded in June 2017 with a variety of examples and case studies from recipients available on the VicHealth website.
• Move My Way is funded through VicHealth’s Changing the Game: Increasing Female Participation in Sport program. Gymnastics Victoria and five other state sporting associations are encouraging women and girls to become more physically active, while championing the important role women play in sports’ leadership and management.

Local Council

Yarra Ranges, Maroondah and Knox Councils are providing resources for sporting clubs to achieve gender equity by improving pathways for girls and women to participate in sport at all levels.

• Equality Is The Game! Our Codes, Our Clubs: Changing the story to promote gender equality [video]. Maroondah City Council, YouTube, (15 August 2017).
• Creating a place for women in sport: A gender equity self-assessment for sport and recreation clubs. Yarra Ranges, Maroondah City, and Knox City Councils, (2017). The Gender Equity Audit Tool is for clubs to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement to promote equality. This tool aims to assist clubs to look at different areas in the club environment and recognise how they are going in relation to gender equality. It includes an action plan template for clubs to record their actions to improve gender equality within their club.
• Equality is the Game Sporting Club Committee resource. Yarra Ranges, Maroondah City, and Knox City Councils, (2017). Equality is the Game! is a resource for all sporting codes to highlight how they can contribute to the prevention of violence against women, by creating safe, equal and respectful environments for all members, particularly women and girls. It outlines the practical actions sporting club committees can undertake to promote gender equality, and highlights the benefits for clubs in creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment.

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries offers a range of grants to help the sports industry to develop programs and facilities. While not specifically identifying programs targeting women such programs are not excluded.

In 2018 the WA Government announced that it would support the Women in Leadership target for Boards to consist of 50/50 male/female directors (for Boards with an uneven number of director positions the final position can be male or female). Organisations that do not achieve and maintain the target within three years will have their funding reduced.

• Women in Leadership: Targets for WA sport bodies, WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries fact sheet, (August 2019). A recent survey of sporting organisations carried out by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) found that 42 per cent of organisations achieve the target.

Gender Diversity Case for Change

The Case for Change is a key enabler of the cultural change required to improve gender balance within the sport and recreation sector. Resources include templates, case studies and the Case for Change report.

• Gender Diversity Case for Change: The case for gender-balanced leadership in sport and recreation, WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, (January 2019). The recently completed DLGSC Gender Diversity Project identified that a significant barrier to increased gender balance is the fact many people are unaware of, or don’t fully understand, the benefits and opportunities that increased gender balance can bring to their organisations. The purpose of the Gender Diversity Case for Change is to help sport and recreation organisations understand the business case for gender diversity, in order to motivate them to address gender inequality in their organisations.

Programs, resources, and reports

• OnBoardWA, (accessed 28 March 2023). The OnBoardWA Register allows you to submit personal and professional information to be considered for vacancies, and you can specify your 'portfolios' of interest. On those occasions that a specific vacancy is advertised publicly, and applications invited, those on the OnBoardWA Register with the relevant portfolios of interest or relevant skills and experience may be contacted directly and encouraged to apply.
• Multicultural Female Uniform Guidelines, Western Australian Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, (July 2020). These uniform guidelines aim to show the different options for girls and women to participate in Australian football, basketball, cricket, gymnastics, netball, football, swimming, and volleyball in Western Australia.

Women’s Football Vision for 2021-2030, Australian Football League (AFL), (December 2021). Outlines AFL's commitment to the continued progression of the game for women and girls across all levels of Australian Football. The Vision recognises the current state of play and forecasts future objectives and targets for the AFL across junior participation programs, community football, talent pathways, state leagues, administration, diversity and inclusion, umpiring, coaching and the NAB AFL Women’s Competition.

• Women and Girls Game Development Action Plan: Phase 1 summary 2022-2025, (2022).
• AFL announces advisory group to drive outcomes for women and girls, AFLW, (31 March 2023). The group will focus on the actions as they relate to leadership roles for women in Community Football, a key area of the Women and Girls Action plan, and will help to deliver the AFL’s Women’s Football Vision to strive for equal participation and representation by the end of this decade.

The 'AFL Female Football Prep to Play Program', developed by the AFL in conjunction with La Trobe University and experts in coaching and sports medicine, is aimed at leagues and clubs across the country. The two-part program is made up of a digital booklet, the AFL National Female Community Football Guidelines, and Prep-to-Play video resources. The information has been compiled to educate grassroots football coaches and players on how to enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury in female football.

• AFL National Female Community Football Guidelines, Australian Football League, (2019). The Guidelines provide direction to community football leagues and clubs on establishing best-practice frameworks for female football, including the management and development of new female teams, female-friendly facilities, club sustainability, competition balance and umpiring.
• Prep-to-Play, Australian Football League, (2019). The Prep-to-Play video resources have been created to further support coaches of female footballers at all levels with tutorials on how to design a dynamic warm-up, and educate players to improve their skills in tackling, groundball gets and aerial contests.

Women’s Coach Acceleration Program, Australian Football League, (accessed 16 June 2023). Program is designed to fast-track the development of women in coaching and assist in their progression to senior coaching roles across both AFL and AFLW programs. All AFL clubs can apply to be awarded one of six available positions as part of the Women’s Coach Acceleration Program that will see successful applicants employed by an AFL Club for a minimum two-year period and provided an opportunity to undertake a coaching role within an AFL or AFLW program.

Women's Coaching Pathway Scholarship, AFL Coaches Association, (accessed 29 March 2023). The AFL Coaches Association established the Women’s Coaching Crusade and Women’s Coaching Pathway Scholarship in 2019, to support AFLW players to realise their potential and fast-track their development to coach at the highest level. In 2021, the scholarship was expanded to include applications from women coaching in State Football Leagues (women’s and men’s) and players from the Women’s State Football Leagues and AFLW.

She Hoops. She Hoops strives to empower women in basketball through visible pathways, mentoring, connection, insights, participation and education. Free and virtual events and resources make She Hoops accessible for all. Providing an inclusive and safe space for women to access resources giving them the confidence to participate, contribute and thrive at all levels of basketball.

Women in Bowls strategy, Bowls Australia, (August 2021). Initiatives currently in action include identification of leaders, Women’s leadership courses, staff and leadership team education, club workshop pilots, governance and media reviews.

Participant Experience Survey: Summary report, Sarah Kearney for the National Women in Bowls Working Party, Bowls Australia, (November 2020). In August 2020, a national survey was created to gather data and evidence and provide the Working Party with information to guide the creation of a strategy to address this important area of our sport. While men and women had similar roles in bowls, their perspectives and experiences were quite different. Overall, it appears that more men held the general perception that bowls is a gender equal environment, whereas women had a heightened awareness of systemic barriers (such as access to competition and selection), social issues (such as unacceptable language and behaviour) as well as cultural issues (subtle stereotypes and discrimination). On a positive note, many men were also aware of these issues and like their female colleagues, were largely supportive of building a more inclusive culture.

Open Bowls, Bowls Australia, (accessed 3 April 2023). Following a number of challenges relating to anti-discrimination legislation at club, regional and state/territory association level, Bowls Australia (BA) has undertaken detailed research and has formulated a position on Open Bowls in Australia. Where only single gender competition is offered, it is desirable to provide an opportunity for Open Bowls to take place. Open Bowls does not solely relate to open gender, but religion, race, culture and disability collectively.

Diversity and Inclusion Commission, International Canoe Federation (ICF), (accessed 28 January 2021). The ICF, along with the IOC, is firmly convinced of the need for women to play a greater part in decision-making, as well as encouraging sports practice among women. However, despite some significant steps forward, there is still much work to be done. All Standing Committees have at least one woman member and women are selected on all Competition Committees for World championships. Since 2010, Gender Equality Workshops have been conducted in conjunction with the ICF Congress.

The Next Innings: Accelerating Female Participation strategy, Cricket Australia, (September 2020). Outlines the unique challenges of expanding participation among women and girls over the next four years as well as the work being done to support the clubs who are nurturing the current and future generations of players, coaches, officials and administrators.

Press for Progress Report 2020/21: to be the leading sport for women and girls, Cricket Australia, (September 2021). Fourth annual report relating to the aspiration 'to be the leading sport for women and girls', set out in the Australian Cricket Strategy 2017-2022. The strategy focuses on 5 key areas: Leadership, sustainable participation, elite talent pathway, growing women's elite cricket, and women and girls as fans. Statistics on progress from 2017/18-2020/21 are included, but the COVID-19 pandemic did affect the final year in some areas.

• Press for Progress Report 2019/20: to be the leading sport for women and girls, Cricket Australia, (2020). The Press for Progress Report documents Australian Cricket’s progress towards its aspiration to become Australia’s leading sport for women and girls. With the commitment to be openly accountable for this progress, key highlights from the 2019-20 report include: Representation of women on Australian Cricket Boards reaching 32%. This is the first time the crucial 30% barrier has been reached; More than 1,600 all-girls cricket teams now created in the past three years, with women and girls representing 32% of cricket participation for the first time; and more.
• Press for Progress Report 2018/19: to be the leading sport for women and girls, Cricket Australia, (2019). Second annual report relating to the aspiration 'to be the leading sport for women and girls', set out in the Australian Cricket Strategy 2017-2022. In the past 12 months, important gains continue to be made: most notably, the sustained growth of girls participation and all-girls teams, the ongoing transition to a standalone Women's Big Bash League, and improved gender diversity within the governance of Australian Cricket.

Choose to Challenge: Creating mentors, paving the way, Laura Jolly, cricket.com.au, (3 March 2021). Series highlighting the strides made in the women's game when people chose to challenge the status quo, and shining a light on the areas where work remains to be done.

100% Cricket – Future Leaders Programme, International Cricket Council, (8 March 2023). The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that applications for the third edition of the ICC 100% Cricket Future Leaders Programme opens today. Designed to support emerging female talent in cricket across administration, coaching and officiating, broadcast, and journalism as well as marketing, digital and technology and events. The programme is designed to address the low percentage of women in leadership positions in global cricket and build a pipeline of new female leaders in cricket. Applications for the 2023 edition closed 29 March 2023.

Daughters & Dads Cricket, Cricket Australia, (accessed 16 June 2023). Developed by the University of Newcastle in partnership with Cricket Australia, Daughters and Dads Cricket is the sport specific version of the award winning Daughters and Dad Active and Empowered program and designed to address the participation barriers faced by 7-12 year old girls. Daughters and Dads Cricket is a 9 week program connecting daughters and dads as they learn about cricket.

She Rides. She Rides is a female-friendly program to get females back riding. Participants can choose between programs, with all formats involving face-to-face sessions with an AusCycling accredited coach, in a small group environment, or one-on-one. Programs generally run for 4-6 weeks, but a number of our coaches are flexible with the structure of their sessions.

• She Rides: Zero to Hero, AusCycling, (accessed 3 April 2023). Campaign follows the story of five women as they overcome their personal barriers in learning to ride a bike. Through the guidance of a mentor, each will aim to reach the ultimate goal of completing a 50km Heroes Ride in October.

Girls Love Ultimate (GLU) Program, Australian Flying Disc Association (AFDA), (accessed 29 March 2023). An initiative of AFDA and VicHealth, GLU is a fun Ultimate Frisbee program, provided to girls aged 12-17 years. GLU consists of a 90-minute indoor Ultimate Frisbee session held once per week for eight weeks. At GLU, girls will learn life skills such as leadership, conflict resolution, self-belief, mutual respect, nonviolence, integrity, fun and friendship that will benefit them both on and off the field for years to come.

Our Game, (accessed 29 March 2023). Football Australia's platform to leverage the unique opportunity presented by co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™ to become Australia’s largest community sport, and to:

• Reach 50/50 gender participation by 2027,
• Increase female representation in key roles including leadership and coaching,
• Create progressive pathways for the next generation of talent,
• Have inclusive facilities to meet surging community demand.
• Provide greater access for our CALD and all abilities communities.

Women's Football, Football Australia, (accessed 29 March 2023).Women make up 22% of the Australia’s participation base with players born in over 150 different nations and set to rise with Football Australia’s Gender Equality Action Plan which aims to have 50% gender participation split by 2027.

Gender Equality Action Plan 2019: Closing the gap and transforming men’s football and women’s football into football, Football Federation Australia , (October 2018). The ten-year plan focuses on five key areas including leadership, participation and facilities, the gender pay gap, the Westfield Matildas, and future Westfield Matildas (youth development pathways).

Women's Football Development Guide: A guide for community football clubs to develop women’s football and increase the number of females participating in the game at all levels, Football Federation Australia , (2017). This resource will provide community football clubs with practical strategies and ‘how to guides’ on the recruitment and continued involvement of female players, coaches, administrators and referees. We have also included a club checklist to encourage reflection and discussion of current club practices specifically aimed at females. We encourage you to identify key issues that relate to your club and identify strategies that might overcome participation barriers experienced by females.

#FootballHerWay: Football Victoria's Vision for Women and Girls Football, (September 2021). This plan goes beyond participation. FV is striving to drive change among the football industry and ultimately develop women leaders at all levels in our game – players, coaches, referees and administrators.

GO Soccer Mums, (accessed 29 March 2023). Designed specifically for women, GO Soccer Mums is all about having fun, meeting new people, and learning basic football skills in a social, judgement-free environment. It's not just for mums - but for all women, from all walks of life! It doesn't matter if you have never kicked a football before - absolutely no experience in necessary - anybody can take part!

Go Girls, (accessed 29 March 2023). A social, non-competitive football program for 12–16-year-old girls. Designed for girls to experience, learn and practice football in an inclusive, fun, all-girl environment.

FIFA

In October 2018 FIFA launched their first Women's Football Strategy which outlined how FIFA will work with stakeholders across the sport to realise the full potential of the women's game.

• Women's Football Strategy, FIFA, (October 2018).
• FIFA and UN Women sign first-ever memorandum of understanding, FIFA media, (7 June 2019). The three key joint areas of work in the MoU are sports policy development, the promotion and support of sustainable projects that will help create a lasting legacy, cultural change and empowerment of women and girls around the world, and communications to raise awareness around gender equality through sport, for example through the support of the FIFA Legends and UN Women Goodwill Ambassadors, as well as major tournaments.

Other international reports

• 2020 Raising Our Game Report, FIFPRO, (2020). Provides an overview of the global women’s football industry, placing the rights and conditions of players at the centre. The report builds on the 2017 FIFPRO Women’s Global Employment Report and takes account of the most recent industry developments affecting the working environment of professional footballers worldwide. This report gives the players' perspective along with key stakeholders on the most recent growth patterns and trends, best practices, policies and regulations relevant to the sustainability of the professional football industry.
• Inspiring positive change: The FA strategy for women's and girls' football: 2020-2024, The FA, (2020). Our strategy is based on understanding an individual's motivation to play - for learning, for recreation, for competition and for excellence. We want to ensure there is access and opportunity for every girl and woman to play, coach, spectate, officiate, manage or administer if they so wish and the game to be truly representative of our society across all protected characteristics and social backgrounds.
• Time for Action: first ever UEFA women's football strategy launched, UEFA, (17 May 2019). UEFA has launched a dedicated women's football strategy for the first time, aiming to double the number of female players in Europe by 2024.

Golf Australia's Vision 2025: The future of women and girls in golf, Golf Australia, (February 2018). In February 2018, Golf Australia launched a strategy to address a fundamental imbalance in the game and draw more women and girls to golf. The four-pillar strategy aims to significantly increase participation rates, along with improving culture at golf clubs around the country so that our game is opened up to everyone.

• Culture and leadership: more women on boards and in senior positions; opening up clubhouses and courses and making them more welcoming – equal access, equal rights.
• Grassroots: introductions to golf that are friendlier and more social; more emphasis on fun and family; better transition to courses and clubs; hubs and networks for women and girls.
• High performance and coaching: More heroes to inspire the next generation; more female coaches to nurture and develop them; more chances for the elite to compete and hone their skills.
• Marketing and positioning: Changing the way the sport is perceived; more women and girls proud to say ‘I play golf’; promoting the fun, healthy, social game – a second sport and a sport for life.

Women in Motorcycling, Motorcycling Australia, (accessed 3 April 2023). Motorcycling Australia and each of the State Controlling Bodies are taking proactive steps forward to promote and increase female participation as riders, officials, coaches and volunteers in the sport of motorcycling across Australia. Some of the programs and resources available include:

• Women's Committee, (accessed 3 April 2023). The Motorcycling Australia Women’s Committee role is to support the growth and increase in participation and opportunities for women and girls around Australia to be involved in motorcycling.
• Australian women in motorcycling: Development guide, (February 2021). A guide for State Controlling Bodies, motorcycle clubs, tracks, promoters and parks to develop women’s motorcycling and increase the number of females participating in the sport and wider industry at all levels.
• Australian women in motorcycling: Mentor program, (April 2018). The purpose of this program is to capitalise on the existing knowledge, skills and experience that exist in the sport and transfer these skills to selected women. The objective is to develop the careers of the mentee whilst ensuring the development and engagement of women in the sport.

Girls on Track, Motorsport Australia, (accessed 3 April 2023). FIA Girls on Track is a global, not-for-profit initiative - initially launched by former Formula 1 development driver Susie Wolff as 'Dare To Be Different'. In Australia the program is backed by Motorsport Australia and offers two types of events:

• Girls on Track - Inspire. Girls aged 8 – 15 years old have a unique opportunity to get an insight into the motorsport world. These events are free and targeted at schools.
• Girls on Track - Pathways. Events to inspire girls and women aged 15 – 22 years old to pursue career pathways in the motorsport industry.

Women's Introduction to Motorsport program is open to women, non-binary and gender diverse folk looking to get a start in motorsport. The program covers off a range of topics and experiences, all designed for participants to experience motorsport for the first time and in the familiarity of their own road car.

FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile)

FIA is the global organization that not only promotes motor sport, but also safe, sustainable and accessible mobility for all road users across the world. The Women In Motorsport Commission was created in 2009 to help change the sport's culture to better facilitate and value the participation of women in all aspects of motorsport.

• Your career in motor sport, FIA, (accessed 3 April 2023). Raises awareness of the huge diversity of industry roles available to women in racing, rally, teams, events and race support, media, medical support and partnerships.
• Engineer your Career: A world of opportunity in motor sport, FIA, (accessed 3 April 2023). Engineering disciplines are very diverse. Areas in which you can specialise include Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical and Civil.
• Your Career as a Motorsport Official, FIA, (accessed 3 April 2023). Areas in which you can specialise are technical, sporting, media and emergency.

Formula 1

F1 Academy. An all-female driver category, the F1 Academy, was launched in 2023 to develop and prepare young female drivers to progress to higher levels of competition – including W Series, Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3. The series sees Formula 1 subsidise the cost of each car with a budget of €150,000, while the drivers cover the same amount of costs – a fraction of the usual costs in comparable series – with the teams covering the rest of the budget.

Women’s and Girl’s Rugby, Rugby Australia, (accessed 3 April 2023). We’ve developed a Women’s Rugby Plan to show what success looks across our campaigns, partnerships, supporters, playing opportunities and pathways and competitions.

Our Watch, Rugby Australia, (accessed 3 April 2023). Our Watch is a not-for-profit organisation who drive nation-wide change in cultures, behaviours, and power imbalances that lead to violence against women and their children.

World Rugby

• Accelerating the global development of women in rugby 2021-25, World Rugby, (2021). By 2025, rugby will be a global leader in sport, where women involved in rugby have equity on and off the field, are reflected in all strategy, plans and structures, making highly valued contributions to participation, performance, leadership and investment in the global game of rugby.
• Balancing the Board: a toolkit to help increase women's representation on rugby boards, World Rugby, (updated February 2020). This toolkit is designed to help you improve the level of women’s representation on your Board. It provides some background information about what is needed and why, and then outlines some practical steps for getting there.
• Women Coaching Rugby Toolkit, World Rugby, (May 2020). The toolkit is made up of a number of sections covering the most crucial areas of coach education, development and deployment. Though aimed at increasing the number of women rugby coaches, a lot of the information and tactics outlined in the toolkit can equally be applied to generic coach and workforce development.

New Zealand Rugby

• Women and Girls in Rugby System Strategy 2023-2033, NZ Rugby, (2023). This system strategy provides the direction and priorities to drive rugby forward to genuinely be engaging of women and girls across all aspects of the game. It aims to harness the strength and value of women and girls that has contributed to the rugby system, and is an integral part of our future. It also acknowledges the value and contribution of our male allies that champion women and girls’ rugby.

SheSails resources, Australian Sailing, (August 2020). Australian Sailing has developed resources to help clubs build a thriving community that includes women and girls across all areas of our sport. This starts with encouraging them to be involved via 'She Sails' programs and events.

Gender Equity Strategy, Table Tennis Australia, (November 2023). Our first Gender Equity Strategy, an important piece of work which will guide us in ensuring we create inclusive and equitable practices across all elements of our business and the broader table tennis community.

Women and Girls in Table Tennis, Table Tennis Australia, (accessed 4 April 2023). Results from the TTA National Participation Census data over the last few years show that despite a consistent growth in participation and achieving record numbers in 2022, Table Tennis in Australia has evolved into a male-dominated arena with women comprising of only about ~21% of the community. These figures are true for most domains including coaching, membership, officiating, para and high performance. With the vision of achieving gender equity in table tennis, TTA is determined to not only address barriers to women and girls' access to our sport, but also increase opportunities for them to participate and progress.

• Women and Girls in Table Tennis Working Group, (accessed 4 April 2023). Table Tennis Australia in conjunction with Table Tennis Victoria, have put together a working group to ensure that growing the number of females in the sport remains a priority. Our intention is to use this platform to represent the voice of women and girls in the table tennis community and develop an inspirational network of female coaches, administrators, officials, athletes and volunteers.
• Girls Only Spinneroos Program, Table Tennis Australia, (accessed 3 April 2023). To ensure girls have a great first experience with table tennis, the girls only program will emphasise creating an emotionally safe environment and level playing field in which girls can push themselves physically and mentally to develop their skill and self-confidence. The sessions will be run by a female coach at each of the locations.

Tennis Australia provides several resources to help encourage women and girls to be involved in tennis at all levels.

• Women and Girls Strategy 2022-2027, (2022). Tennis Australia has a strategic commitment is to be a global leader in inclusion and diversity. This strategy has been developed to improve access and opportunities for women and girls to achieve gender equality in the sport. Our vision is that there are No limits for women and girls on and off the court.
• Learn 2 Lead program, (accessed 16 June 2023). Hundreds of girls across the country are set to benefit from a new program designed to build leadership, life skills, and confidence in young women through tennis. Learn 2 Lead, developed in conjunction with Plan International Australia, the charity for girls’ equality, and supported by the Australian Sports Commission, is being rolled out nationally and aims to engage young women and gender diverse people aged 14-18 years within the sport while building their life and leadership skills.
• Women Leaders in Tennis Program, (accessed 3 April 2023). Aims to increase the participation of women and girls in community leadership positions through professional development, mentorship and networking opportunities.
• Coaching opportunities, (accessed 3 April 2023). Includes news about women coaches in tennis, Coach Connect to engage, educate and connect women coaches across the country through mentoring and professional development opportunities; women's coaching scholarships; and a national course and workshop calendar.
• Nicole Pratt to lead Females in Tennis Initiative, (29 October 2020). Former Australian No. 1 Nicole Pratt is set to inspire the current and next generation of female tennis coaches. Pratt takes on the new role of Tennis Australia’s Females in Tennis – Coach Lead. This role will focus on attracting, developing and retaining female coaches at all levels to grow the number of female coaches by 10 per cent over the next three years.

International Tennis Federation (ITF)

• Advantage All: Women in Tennis book, International Tennis Federation (ITF), (15 July 2020). Features contributions from women working in different areas across the game, on subjects such as coaching, officiating and competitive play. Available to download from the ITF ebooks app on both the App Store and Google Play.

Women in Water Polo, Water Polo Australia, (accessed 3 April 2023). A research driven program, designed to equip our women leaders with strategies to build leadership capacity, confidence and impact in water polo and beyond.

Women of Winter (WOW), Snow Australia, (accessed 3 April 2023). This initiative aims to champion and empower Snowsports Women to reach their full potential. The program facilitates an environment of support and learning through professional development, training and networking opportunities, leading to an increase of women working and volunteering in the Snowsports Industry. This includes encouraging and supporting women in retaining employment in the industry and advancing their positions in leadership roles. Resources include:

• Webinars (available on YouTube)
• Courses (access may be restricted)
• Women in focus article series. Once a month, Women of Winter features a Woman excelling in the Snowsports industry in their chosen discipline. Presenting women in a multitude of roles including coaches, athletes, administrators, guides and industry directors.

Strategies and policies

• Actively Engaged: a Policy on Sport for Women and Girls, Government of Canada, Department of Canadian Heritage, (2009). Women and girls should have meaningful opportunities to become involved in and develop in sport according to their interests, abilities, talents and choices, throughout a lifetime’s involvement. This policy recognises that the contributions of actively engaged women and girls are critical to realising the objectives of the Canadian Sport Policy and for achieving results for Canadians.

Programs

• Canadian Women & Sport. A national non-profit organisation dedicated to creating an equitable and inclusive Canadian sport and physical activity system that empowers girls and women – as active participants and leaders – within and through sport.
• E-Alliance: research hub for gender+ equality in sport. Launched in 2020, E-Alliance pushes gender+ equity forward for girls and women and fights against gendered discrimination in sport through cutting edge research from leading sport researchers in Canada.
• Fast and Female. Not-for-profit organisation founded in 2005 with the aim of supporting initiatives that keep girls active and involved in sports and physical activity into their teens.
• #MomsGotGame (#VasYMaman), SIRC, (March 2021). Mom’s Got Game (Vas-y, Maman!) is a bilingual initiative encouraging, celebrating and supporting moms of school-aged kids to play sport and be active. Through partner engagement and digital, radio, and television advertisements, #MomsGotGame (#VasYMaman) aims to:
  • Celebrate moms who are making efforts to play sports and be physically active;
  • Provide resources for moms to get involved in sport for the first time, or to participate more often; and
  • Change the perceptions and attitudes of friends and family (e.g., partners, children) to support mom’s physical activity and sport participation.
• The #MomsGotGame Campaign: What the Research Says About Mom’s Participation in Physical Activity and Sport, SIRC, (updated March 2022). This review synthesizes key findings from the literature focused on mother’s physical activity and sport participation, including (a) participation rates, (b) motives, (c) benefits, (d) barriers, (e) facilitators, (f) effective and/or promising promotional strategies, (g) special considerations for new and expecting moms, and (h) the impact of COVID-19.

Reports

• Women in Sport Leadership, Canadian Women & Sport, (February 2022). Public attention, and dedicated funding from Sport Canada, is driving change for the national sport system. Compared to 2019, after the government commitment was announced, the percentage of women holding board seats has jumped by 5 points. That means 45 more women are at the table than three years ago. Sport is ahead of “corporate” Canada, with women holding 49% of executive leadership positions at national sport vs just 18% for TSX-listed companies and Canadian Business Corporations Act corporations subject to disclosure requirements.
  • Provincial and Territorial women in sport leadership, Canadian Women & Sport, (July 2022). Similar report to the national report, but focussed on provincial and territorial sport organizations (PTSO) that have significant influence in grassroots sport, which makes them leaders in the sport system in Canada.
• Rally Report 2022 – A Call for Better, Safer Sport for Girls, Canadian Women & Sport, (June 2020). Rally Report 2022 is here, and the message couldn’t be clearer: our current sport system is failing to provide girls and women with access to safe, quality sport as participants and as leaders. Learn more and download the full Rally Report here.
• The Rally Report: Encouraging Action to Improve Sport for Women and Girls, Dr. Catherine Sabiston, Canadian Women & Sport, (2022). This study is designed to inform, educate, and inspire action across Canada and to keep girls in sport. We invite you to rally with us—to drive change and build the momentum we need to achieve gender equity. Let’s use our collective voices to advocate for sport that is inclusive and reflects our values. Overall, The Rally Report shows that sport participation levels for Canadian girls are much lower than boys. Among girls who have participated in sport, there is a dramatic dropout rate observed with 1 in 3 girls leaving sport by late adolescence. By comparison, the dropout rate for teenage boys (aged 16-18) is only 1 in 10. Sport participation rates for Canadian girls decline steadily from childhood to adolescence with as many as 62% of girls not playing sport at all.
• Women in Sport: Fuelling a lifetime of participation, Brunette M and O’Reilly N, Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity, (2016). Despite more than two decades of active campaigning for greater representation and recognition of Canadian women’s sport; the participation figures remained alarmingly low.

Toolkits

• She's got it all: talent, determination, and barriers men don't have to worry about, Canadian Women & Sport, (accessed 29 March 2023). To help keep more girls and women in sport, things need to change. And we all have a role to play. Here are some ideas for what you can do to better understand how women and girls experience sport and how to support them. Focus areas include coaches, parents/guardians, administrators, allies, and corporations and media.

Guidelines

• The Leading Edge: Good practices for creating gender-equitable boards in sport, Canadian Women & Sport, (2020). This resource provides sport leaders with information and tips to enhance good practices or dial up efforts to support gender-equitable boards. It includes information on making the case for gender-equitable boards; intentional leadership; setting clear objectives and evaluating progress; reviewing by-laws, processes and procedures; creating an inviting culture; proactively recruiting women; and providing mentoring and training opportunities.

Strategies and policies

Equality between women and men is one of the European Union’s founding values. The EU has published an overall strategy document for equality between women and men which represents the European Commission’s progressive work program on gender equality.

• The EU published a White Paper on Sport (2007), that addressed social, economic and organisational aspects of sport in the EU.
• Towards more gender equality in sport: Recommendations and action plan from the High Level Group on Gender Equality in sport, European Commission, (March 2022). Looking back at the steps already taken, the ‘Gender equality in sport – Proposal for strategic actions 2014-2020’ has certainly led to achievements, but the pace of reforms needs to be accelerated. This report is divided into two parts. The first part is devoted to topics applicable to all the main themes. The second looks at key thematic areas and is further divided into three parts: presentation of the current situation from a scientific standpoint and of models put in place by intergovernmental organisations; recommendations; and action proposals for stakeholders, namely the European Commission, EU Member States, sports federations and organisations governing grassroots sport.

Reports

• Gender equality in sport: Getting closer every day, Ivana Katsarova; graphics: Samy Chahr, European Parliamentary Research Service Briefing, (March 2019). Briefing paper covers background and research relating to gender equality and sport. Specific focus areas include: Women's (long) road to the Olympics; Women in sports-related decision-making; Women as coaches; Gender pay inequalities; Gender-related stereotypes in media representation; Popularity and coverage of women's sports events in the EU; European parliament views on gender equality in sport.
• Mapping and analysis of education schemes for coaches from a gender perspective, A report to the European Commission, (July 2017). There is a wide acceptance of the notion that an increase in women coaches (as visible role models) can provide inspiration and encouragement to girls and women to take part in sport and sustain their participation. It is estimated that between 20%-30% of all coaches in Europe are women; however, in most sports the underrepresentation of women becomes more pronounced at the highest levels of coaching.
• Study on gender-based violence in sport: Final Report, Mergaert L, Arnaut C, Vertommen T, et.al., European Commission, Directorate for Education and Culture, (2016). This study provides an overview of legal and policy frameworks; describes initiatives promoted by sport organisations and civil society; identifies best practice in combatting gender-based violence in sport; and makes recommendations for future action. Several forms of gender-based violence in sport were considered: verbal, non-verbal, physical abuse, and sexual harassment. These forms are not mutually exclusive, but overlap. This study explicitly included violence against LGBTQ persons, and considered both male and female victims as well as perpetrators.

Strategies and policies

• Women in Sport Policy, Sport Ireland (2019). The first Women in Sport policy from Sport Ireland identifies four key areas which have emerged as current gaps and future opportunities for women in sport. These areas are: coaching and officiating; active participation; leadership and governance; and visibility. They will target each of these four areas to deliver on the commitments of this policy.

Programs

• 20x20: If she can't see it, she can't be it, Federation of Irish Sport, (accessed 15 March 2023). The 20×20 Campaign ran Oct 2018 to Oct 2020 and while the message lives on, the campaign has come to a close. 20×20 was about creating a cultural shift in our perception of girls and women in sport. By increasing visibility of women’s sport it will become a greater part of who we are and what we follow.
  • 20x20: why promoting female role models in sport matters, The Irish Times, (11 December 2018). For the women driving the 20x20 sports programme getting the public to support womens’ sports events is as important as their representation in the media.
  • Final event press release, (22 October 2020). Research shows 20×20 has had a strong impact on Irish culture around women in sport – but there’s still more to be done. 80% of the population are more of aware of women’s sport since the launch of 20×20. 61% are more likely to support women’s sport since the launch of 2020. 75% of men say 20×20 changed their mindset positively towards women’s sport. 42% of women say they are participating in more sport and physical activity than in 2018 due to awareness of 20×20. 50% of the population and 60% of females say they would be more inclined to purchase from brands that support women’s sport.
  • 20x20, Wikipedia, (accessed 15 March 2023). A key objective for 20x20 was to make women’s sport a bigger part of Irish culture by making it more visible. Research commissioned by 20x20 and conducted by Behaviour and Attitudes in 2020, found 80% of Irish adults - rising to 84% of Irish men - said they were more aware of women’s sport than before the movement launched in 2018.
  • Along came a Spider: 20x20 Final Research Results, Behaviour and Attitudes, (2020). Very strong improvement in the perception of women's sport in the last two years. While the shift has been across all demographics, it is higher amongst males of all ages and those who are aware of the 20x20 initiative. The strong impact of the campaign has been acknowledged, with 3 in 4 adults now seeing/reading about women’s sport more than before, because of the 20x20 movement. Also a similar proportion acknowledge that the 20x20 movement has changed their mindset positively towards girls and women in sport. 49% of 18-34 year old females now participate in more sport because of the 20x20 movement.

Strategies and policies

Advocating for women and girls, Sport NZ, (accessed 4 April 2023). Sport NZ is committed to improving the opportunities, value and visibility for women and girls. See our research, resources and funding to find out how we are addressing the inequities for women and girls in play, active recreation and sport.

• Women and girls strategy, Sport NZ, (6 December 2018). There are clear inequalities for women and girls when it comes to participation, and their wider involvement and visibility within sport and active recreation in Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • Commitment progress report, (October 2021). This report celebrates some important milestones that are working to address the under-representation of women and girls in sport and active recreation. This work was not the beginning. It is not the end. Change is happening and will continue.
• Women and Girls Action Plan, (2022). This Action Plan focuses on collaboration and was informed by successes and insights gathered internally and from across the sector to date. It builds on the progress made towards our original 24 commitments, which covered 2018 to 2022, and represents an evolution in our response to the Government's Women and Girls Strategy.
• Board gender diversity, Sport NZ, (accessed 29 March 2023). In October 2018 Sport NZ launched its commitment to supporting funded partners to make organisational change and achieve a board gender diversity target. This initiative has been highly successful. As of December 2021, 65 out of 66 qualifying Sport NZ-funded partners have achieved a gender balance on their boards of 40 percent or more self-identified women.
  • Evaluation of Sport NZ Ihi Aotearoa’s National Policy for Gender Equity in Governance, Dr Jo Cribb, Sport NZ, (September 2022). This qualitative evaluation of the implementation of the policy found that building a pool of board-ready women, focusing on supporting boards with their recruitment processes, and supporting chairs were key to success.

Programs

• #ItsMyMove: A movement for young women, Sport NZ, (accessed 4 April 2023). Explores factors like judgement, lack of confidence and fear of failure that are barriers to increasing participation by young women. Become part of the #itsmymove movement and help young women to be active and healthy their way. Here’s how:
  • As a sector leader or provider, explore the research and understand what matters and what motivates young women.
  • As a parent or caregiver, understand your role in supporting young women in the world of sport and recreation.
  • As a young woman, move your own way and discover the many ways to be active.
• It's Time: media campaign, Sport NZ, (September 2022). Sport NZ research shows that there’s a gap in support for our female elite athletes when compared to male athletes. A gap in knowledge, how much we read, watch, attend and generally support our women on the world stage. That’s why Sport NZ has launched the “It’s Time” campaign and is working with sports to showcase what’s great about women’s sport and how you can get in on the action.
• Empowering girls through adventures in the outdoors, Sport NZ, (accessed 29 March 2023). Journeys, supported by Central Otago REAP, is a programme empowering young women to take on outdoor adventure pursuits in their local environment with support from strong female role models.
• Women in leadership programme, Sport NZ, (accessed 29 March 2023). The Sport NZ Women in Leadership Programme is designed for women currently in a team leadership role, who want to become the next generation of sector leaders. It looks at how to close the ‘confidence gap’ and challenge the biases that might be holding you back. It is designed to create a leadership community of women who want to increase their personal and organisational impact.

Reports

• Media Coverage of Women’s Sport, Sport NZ, (accessed 4 April 2023). Sport NZ and Isentia are into the third year of a major study of gender balance in sports news coverage and the journalists doing that reporting. This includes analysis of individual media companies, how gender balance differs by sport, team and event, and a detailed exploration of athlete portrayal. The first report was published in April 2021 and covers 14 months from July 2019 to December 2020 (excluding March to June 2020, where the study was paused due to COVID-19). A mid-year infographic (1 January to 30 June 2021) was then published in October 2021, with the second full report scheduled for May 2022.
• Gender insights, Sport NZ, (accessed 29 March 2023). We've taken our research and insights and split it into a number of different demographics to help you understand why some people are less active.
• Building cultural inclusion in active recreation and sport: Insights from Muslim women, Sport NZ, (July 2020). This report highlights key themes that emerged from conversations with Muslim girls and women, and active recreation and sport administrators in 2019. It aims to recognise the importance of creating spaces for the voices and experiences of Muslim women, as well as those involved in organising active recreation and sport with Muslim women participants.
• Women and Girls Women and Girls Summit 2020, Sport NZ, (7-9 October 2020). Conference hosted by Sport NZ under the overall theme “Change in Action”. The program focussed on practical steps that can be collectively applied to create opportunities for women and girls across play, active recreation and sport in Aotearoa New Zealand. Recordings of each day’s events and letting you know about any key highlights, for you to watch again or click through to any content that you may have missed out on.

Strategies and policies

• School sports given huge boost to level the playing field for next generation of Lionesses, Department for Education, Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, (8 March 2023). On International Women’s Day the Government is setting out new standards for equal access to sports, making it clear that girls and boys should be offered the same sports during PE and extracurricular time in schools. Some other key announcements include:
  • equal access to sports in school – setting out that offering girls and boys the same sports, where it is wanted is the new standard.
  • delivering a minimum 2 hours of curriculum PE –with more support being offered through a refreshed School Sport Action Plan.
  • expansion of the Schools Games Mark - to reward parity of provision for girls - this kitemark scheme, delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, recognises schools that create positive sporting experiences across all sports for young people, supporting them to be active for 60 minutes a day.

Programs

• Women in Sport. Our purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part in sport and inspire her to do so.
  • #TimeTogether (accessed 29 March 2023). Together we encouraged mums and daughters or aunties and nieces to find adventure, experience joy, find freedom, feel strong and discover where they belong. After all we all belong whether on a bike, in a pool, in the park, on the pitch.
• This Girl Can. This is a national campaign developed and supported by Sport England and its partner organisations. It’s designed to provide a web-based and social media platform for information, community awareness, inspirational stories, best practice, and promotional activities that encourage women and girls to become more active.
• Female Coaches Programme, UK Sport, (November 2020). UK Sport has today announced a new leadership programme as part of a plan to more than double the representation of female coaches in the Olympic and Paralympic high-performance community by Paris 2024. The new leadership programme will involve six of the best female coaches in the UK providing key support and development opportunities for the next aspiring generation of elite coaches.

Reports

• Women in Leadership in Scottish Sport, Ryan Brown, Dr Paula Murray, et al., Observatory for Sport in Scotland, (2021). The Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS) was formed in 2016. It is an independent think tank that connects research, evidence and analysis to policy and practice in Scotland, and helps stakeholders to use sport activity strategically to improve health and wellbeing, education and the economy. This research seeks to inform and deepen understanding of the representation of women in leadership roles across Scottish sport. It is a limited study, conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-21, which severely restricted face-to-face contact and travel. It focuses specifically on women’s roles within Scottish Governing Bodies (SGBs) and leisure trusts, chiefly responsible for the administration of sport and leisure, and includes key national umbrella organisations.
• Levelling the playing field: 2019 report and recommendations, Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Advisory Board, (2019). The 2018 First Report and Findings from the First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls (NACWG) stated that: “Women are significantly less likely than men to meet physical activity guidelines; just 59% of women do the recommended amount of activity per week, compared to 69% of men. Only 14% of CEO positions across Scotland’s national governing bodies are held by women. 99% of sponsorship investment and 95% of media coverage is dedicated to men’s sport.” This Board set out to recommend further improvements to drive participation in sport and physical activity amongst women and girls and discuss how more private and media investment could be attracted into the sector.
• Beyond 30% - Female Leadership in Sport, Women in Sport, (2017). This is the seventh report on the leadership roles filled by women in UK sporting organisations. Key finding in this report:
  • the percentage of women on the boards of National Governing Bodies (NGBs) has remained static for 3 years, with an average of 30% of board positions continuing to be held by women;
  • there has been a fall in the percentage of women in Senior Leadership roles which now stands at 36%, after a high of 42% in 2014;
  • 24% of Chief Executives of NGBs are women, an increase from 15% in 2009;
  • women continue to be under-represented in Performance Director roles;
  • 44% of NGB Development Directors are women, a slight fall since 2015;
  • women make up a third of Non-Executive Director roles and a similar percentage of positions as Chair of an NGB.
• Final Report of the Government’s Women and Sport Advisory Board, United Kingdom, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, (March 2015). The Advisory Board’s interim report, published in October 2014, set out five areas of work the Board chose to focus on and provided an overview of progress. This report builds on the interim report and looks ahead by suggesting further actions in each of the five key areas: (1) increasing women’s participation in sport; (2) improving the media profile of women’s sport; (3) increasing commercial investment in women’s sport; (4) improving women’s representation in leadership and the workforce, and; (5) greater recognition of women’s sporting achievements.
  • Interim Report of the Government’s Women and Sport Advisory Board, United Kingdom, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Women and Sport Advisory Board, (October 2014).
• Go where women are: insight on engaging women and girls in sport and exercise, Sport England, (2015). This review explores our current understanding of what women want from sport and exercise programs; their relevant motivations, barriers, and triggers that prompt them into being more active. Seven key principles for program providers are discussed: (1) change the offer to suit the women being targeted, listen to marketing and customer experiences of women; (2) don’t just talk about sport, consider how to present and explain the intended experience; (3) differentiate sport from other interests by promoting (not preaching) the benefits; (4) make sport the ‘norm’ for women of all ages, sizes, and cultural backgrounds by celebrating it; (5) use positivity and encouragement to drive action (rather than fear of the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle); (6) make it easy for women to act, address both practical and emotional barriers to participation; and, (7) remember that people make or break the experience, ensure participants are properly supported along the way.

Guides

• Helping women and girls get active: a practical guide. Sport England, (2015). This practical guide contains advice, suggestions, hints, and tips that make it easier to get more women and girls active in the local area. Provides advice on communication, making the sessions attractive, maintaining and growing attendance, and shares good examples.

Toolkits

• Toolkit: Reframing Sport for Teenage Girls, Women in Sport (2019, last updated September 2022). Our toolkit inspired by Reframing Sport for Teenage Girls brings you resources and key findings from the research which is funded by Sport England. It also brings together important insight about girls from various other sectors and will be updated regularly as new insight becomes available.
• Changing the Game, for Girls: A toolkit to help teachers get more girls involved in PE and school sport, Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation, (2016). This resource is designed to help schools and physical education (PE) teachers get more girls involved in PE and school sport by understanding the reasons why so few girls participate. Overall, this research found that families are the most powerful influence on a child’s activity levels, and schools are seen as the most important site for change. Because school attendance is compulsory, schools have a unique opportunity to deliver programs (e.g. PE and school sport) and create a culture in which physical activity is valued. A whole-school approach is recommended, involving students, parents, and teachers.

Strategies and policies

• Sports for Generation Equality Framework: Driving implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action through the Power of the Sport Ecosystem, UN Women, (2020). UN Women invites members of the sport ecosystem to join the Sports for Generation Equality Initiative to accelerate progress on a set of common principles and aligned objectives that will harness the power of sport in making gender equality a reality in and through sport. Under the leadership of UN Women, the Sports for Generation Equality initiative will constitute a neutral space for enhancing cooperation among members to leverage the and share knowledge and resources and to catalyzing innovation.

Reports

• COVID-19, women, girls and sport: Build back better, UN Women, (2020). This brief focuses on the impacts of COVID-19 on women and girls in sports in five areas: leadership, gender-based violence, economic opportunities, media participation and representation, and girl’s participation in sport. It presents key recommendations to different actors in the sport ecosystem so that women and girls’ gains in sport are not lost, and a better future for all becomes a reality, where women and girls can participate in, work with, govern, and enjoy sport on an equal playing field.

Research

• Sport for Development Programmes for Girls and Women: a global assessment, Hancock M, Lyras A, Ha J, Journal of Sport for Development, Volume 1(1), pp.15-24, (2013). This study identified trends in sport for development programs for girls and women. Of the 376 programmes analysed, 123 were found in Europe, 101 in Africa, 68 in North America, 55 in Asia, and 29 in Australia. Overall, the top three primary program objectives to promote gender equity were: (1) individual development, (2) social integration, and (3) the development of social capital.

Programs

• Champion Women. This United States based, non-profit, organisation was established in October 2014. The organisation’s mission is to provide advocacy for girls and women in sports through targeted efforts toward equality, accountability, and transparency among institutions providing (or not providing) sporting opportunities for girls and women.
• The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES). The Institute serves as a comprehensive resource for issues related to gender and race in amateur, collegiate and professional sports. The Institute researches and publishes a variety of studies, including annual student-athlete graduation rates, racial attitudes in sports, and the internationally recognised series Racial and Gender Report Card.
• Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF). Founded in 1974 by tennis professional Billie Jean King, the WSF is dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity. The WSF works to educate, advocate, and organise programs across the USA; it also provides scholarships and supports research.

Reports

• Chasing Equity: The Triumphs, Challenges, and Opportunities in Sports for Girls and Women, Women's Sports Foundation, (January 2020). In this report, we examine the state of girls’ and women’s sport in the United States through a broad lens, looking at the triumphs, the challenges, and the tremendous opportunities that are yet to be realized. The areas we focus on include sport participation opportunities for girls and women; the benefits of sport participation for girls and women; the barriers that limit and/or hinder participation; critical health and safety concerns of females in sport; Title IX and its ongoing role in supporting the infrastructure for equal access to sport participation for girls and women; the representation of women working in the sport industry and the climate they encounter while working in sport, including pay equity and equal treatment issues; the level and quality of sport media coverage of female athletes; and the representation of women working in sport media.
• Racial and gender report card, Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES), University of Central Florida, (accessed 4 April 2023). The Racial and Gender Report Card (RGRC) is the definitive assessment of hiring practices of women and people of color in most of the leading professional and amateur sports and sporting organizations in the United States. The report considers the composition – assessed by racial and gender makeup – of players, coaches and front office/athletic department employees in our country’s leading sports organizations, including the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), as well as in collegiate athletics departments.