Media Release by The Hon Tanya Pibersek MP

Grants of up to $10,000 for female sporting leaders

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister of Sport

Tanya Plibersek and Minister for Sport Kate Ellis today opened applications for the 2010-11 Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women program.

Grants and scholarships are available for individuals and organisations in the areas of coaching, officiating, governance, management, administration and communications and the media.

Women in upper sports management can apply for scholarships of up to $10,000 a year for three years, individuals can apply for one-off grants of up to $5,000 and organisations can apply for grants of up to $10,000.

“This program boosts women’s representation in leadership and advocacy positions in Australian sport, and has helped more than 16,500 women over the past eight years,” Ms Plibersek said.

“We want to provide the educational and development opportunities to help women reach their full potential in sports leadership.

“This program aims to increase the number of women in executive positions in our top 40 sporting organisations from current levels of just 13 per cent.”

“The grants provide a tangible way for women to obtain the skills and attributes required to succeed in sport leadership roles,” Ms Ellis said.

Women like Rachael Roberts, General Manager of Commercial and Communications at Swimming Australia, who used her grant to complete a company director’s course. Or Bronwyn Young, CEO of Women’s Golf Victoria, who used her grant to undertake an emotional leadership course which she then used to help develop the skills of managers within her own organisation.

“Australian sport needs more women involved in senior positions and leadership roles,” Ms Ellis said.

“The Government strongly supports women who are ambitious about their future in sport, whether their ambitions lie in being elite coaches, administrators or managers of sporting organisations”.

The Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women are jointly funded by the Australian Sports Commission and the Office for Women.

Applications close on April 30, 2010. Details are available at Australian Sports Commission or 1800 224 412.