More women are set to be supported in taking on senior roles in sport, with new grants from the State Government now available.
Now in its sixth year, the Change Our Game Professional Development Scholarships Program will provide grants of up to $10,000 for women seeking to upskill in the sports industry.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence announced the grants last month, stating the funding would allow women to ‘thrive’.
“We’re focused on leveling the playing field for women leaders in sport by providing professional development opportunities to advance their careers,” she said.
“This program supports women to develop skills and career pathways to thrive in leadership roles across sport.”
Examples of what grant funding can be used for include specialised skill development courses, training and retraining, and a Next Generation Leaders stream which offers coaching for aspiring executives to map career paths, develop skills, and expand their industry networks.
Additionally, a new Community Leaders stream will be available to support women in community sport and recreation gain access to professional development opportunities.
The program will also offer a Women with a Disability stream.
Director of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation Sarah Styles praised the program’s inclusive streams.
“Through this program, we continue to remove barriers to accessing professional development opportunities for women in sport, supporting expanded networks and future career success,” she said.
Past program participants include Ashleigh Humphries, who took part in the Next Generation Leaders stream and has since taken up a role as Head of Club Projects at Richmond Football Club, and Amy Welsh, who participated in the Learning stream and has since stepped into the position of Affiliate Support Manager at Hockey Victoria.
Applications close Monday, August 26, 2024. For more information and details on eligibility and how to apply, visit www.changeourgame.vic.gov.au.
