Scholarships to improve women’s sporting leadership

THE state government has announced a second round of the 2018-19 Change Our Game Scholarship Program, which creates opportunities for women to pursue leadership and development opportunities throughout the sporting and active recreation sector.

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said that local clubs and sporting bodies were encouraged to identify emerging female leaders within their sporting community for the scholarship program.

Scholarships range from $2,000 to $10,000 and applications are submitted on behalf of individuals by state sport and recreation bodies, regional sports assemblies and local government authorities.

Labor has committed to increase the number of women and girls in off-field decision making roles across all levels of the Victorian sport and active recreation sector.

The program has so far enabled 75 women from across Victoria to access professional learning and development opportunities.

The grants are part of the broader $7.2 million Change Our Game initiative aimed at levelling the playing field for women and girls in sport and recreation.

“Sport is often the lifeblood of South Barwon, as it brings families and communities together like nothing else – we want more women involved so they can change the game and drive greater participation and leadership across the region,” Mr Cheeseman said.

“The Change Our Game Scholarship Program continues to provide pathways for women to take on leadership roles on and off the field.”

Applications close on April 8. For more information about the Change Our Game Scholarship Program, head to sport.vic.gov.au.