Sports funding encourages women to aim higher

Scholarships of up to $30,000 and grants of up to $5000 for individuals and $10,000 for organisations are now available to help women build on their skills and advance their careers within Australia’s sporting system.

On the back of International Women’s Day last Friday, Minister for Sport Kate Lundy and Minister for the Status of Women Julie Collins announced that the latest round of the Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women program is now open and urged applicants to apply.

“This program aims to help more women to reach their full potential in sport,” Senator Lundy said.

“The grants and scholarships are a fitting way to encourage more women to strive for higher goals in sport.

“These grants and scholarships are designed for women to build on their skills and advance their pathway towards higher achievements.”

Ms Collins said 114 grants and scholarships, worth more than $490,000, were allocated last year.

“This program was established in 2002 and has enabled more than 20,000 recipients to gain valuable skills and knowledge to further enrich the Australian sporting landscape,” Ms Collins said.

“The Australian Government has allocated more than $4.2 million since 2002 for this program, highlighting our commitment to encourage more women to achieve their full potential in sport.”

The Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women program includes:

• Grants of up to $5000 for individuals and $10,000 for organisations are available to help women take part in accredited coaching, officiating, governance, administration and management, communications, media and marketing training.
• Leadership pathway scholarships of up to $30,000 (up to $10,000 annually for three years).

Current scholarship recipient Juhi McInerney, who is Cricket Australia’s Diversity Manager, is using the funding, support and mentoring that the ASC scholarship provides to progress her established career as a sports administrator.

Juhi is part way through a three year scholarship and will complete the Advanced Leadership Program at Women and Leadership Australia, attend professional development conferences and workshops and continue to seek mentors within the sports and business industries.

“I’m thankful for the funding from the ASC and the support of Cricket Australia, which allows me to undertake the scholarship. I’m really excited to continue my vocational journey,” Ms McInerney said.

“My vision is to create change and promote inclusion through an environment where each person, regardless of their gender, ability or cultural background will be presented with the opportunity and guidance to achieve their goals.

“Irrespective of whether these goals are on the cricket pitch, in the Cricket Australia office, or as a fan wanting to attend a match.”

eApplications close on April 26, 2013. For more information or to apply visit: www.ausport.gov.au/leadershipgrants