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The Australian Government has launched two initiatives to tackle the gender divide in sporting organisations and support a new generation of female sport leaders.

Federal Minister for Sport, Mark Arbib and Federal Minister for the Status of Women, Kate Ellis said the Women in Sport Leadership Register, would allow women to apply online to be considered for board or leadership positions in Australian sporting organisations.

Introducing the Register, Senator Arbib said "it is important that we get more women into senior roles in the sporting community, including senior administrative roles and representation on boards where women make a valuable contribution.

"The register is a free service and is specifically tailored to the sports industry, so it will meet the needs of both the individuals and the sporting organisations."

The Australian Government also opened applications for the 2011/12 Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women program - an initiative of the Australian Sports Commission and the Office for Women that provides education and development opportunities for women with leadership potential.

Introducing this initiative Senator Arbib added that "(this) highlight the Government's commitment to bolstering the involvement of women in sport at all levels outlined in the new direction for sport: Australian Sport: the Pathway to Success.

"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."

Minister Ellis said the grants and scholarships provided a tangible way for women to obtain the skills and attributes required to succeed in sport leadership roles, stating "the Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women program has supported more than 16,000 women since its inception in 2002 with a total funding allocation of $3.3 million.

"Women in senior sports management positions are eligible for scholarships of up to $10,000 a year for three years, individuals are eligible for one-off grants of up to $5,000 and organisations are eligible for grants of up to $10,000.

"Women have a key role to play in the development of sport in Australia - as participants, volunteers, athletes and sports leaders as coaches and administrators. And yet we still see women facing barriers to participating in sport across their lifetime.

"Our Government is committed to boosting the profile of women in sport and giving them the skills and qualifications they need to play leadership roles both on and off the field."

For more information on the 2011/12 Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women, or the Women in Sport Leadership Register visit the women in sport website www.ausport.gov.au/participating/women

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