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Western Australian Government aims to increase leadership roles for women in the sports industry

Western Australian Government aims to increase leadership roles for women in the sports industry
November 20, 2019
Sport /

To achieve new national targets, the Western Australian Government is assisting Western Australian sporting associations to increase the representation of women in leadership roles in the sports industry.

In 2018, new national targets were set to bring female representation on State Sporting Association boards up to 50% - a move strongly supported by the WA Government.

The funding sports receive from the State Government will soon be linked to their performance in achieving gender balance in leadership - with a three-year transition period now underway to assist sports to achieve the targets.

Women's sport has undergone a rapid transformation in Australia in recent years, with participation, commercial interest and mainstream television coverage in traditionally male-dominated sports increasing significantly.

However, these achievements have not been reflected at the highest decision-making levels of Australian sport, with sports board and executive management positions continuing to be largely male-dominated.

Currently only 28 of the 68 Western Australian State Sporting Associations (41%) meet the 50% target, with 14 sports (21%) having a quarter or less women on their boards or committees.

The drive for gender balance will complement the significant growth in opportunities for women's sport, ensuring participation and interest is matched by opportunities for women to become industry leaders.

The WA Government has worked with KPMG to produce Case for Change, a project which highlights the many organisational benefits that more diverse leadership would provide to sports challenged by the changing environment.

The sports industry's response to the new targets has been overwhelmingly positive, with many leaders in the sector having long campaigned for proactive measures to promote greater opportunities for women.

The State Government is rolling out a range of initiatives to assist sports to increase female representation in their leadership teams.

WA Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray advised that "despite Western Australian women long being among the State's most passionate sport supporters, they have not been afforded the same opportunities to hold senior management roles as men.

"Spurred on by the recent transformation in women's sport, there is now a greater understanding of the benefits more diverse leadership can provide sports, and the State Government is assisting the industry to capitalise on those opportunities.

"It is not enough that women's sport is enjoying a higher profile - we need to foster more opportunities for women themselves to become industry leaders in their own right."

Women's Interests Minister Simone McGurk added that "women's leagues are more popular than ever before, which is not just good for the women involved - clubs also benefit from this growing enthusiasm."

"There are many skilled and capable women with a great deal of expertise to contribute to the sports industry, so these changes will help to ensure organisations tap into the full pool of talent available when choosing industry leaders.

"It has been demonstrated that increased gender diversity in leadership roles leads to better decision-making and improves culture and morale, so addressing these historical inequities in the sector simply makes good business sense."

Related Articles

8th August 2019 - Cricket Australia gender inclusive guidelines spell the ‘death’ of women’s sport

13th June 2019 - Australian Human Rights Commission releases guidelines for gender inclusivity in sport

7th June 2019 - Industry leaders announced as members of Women in Sport Advisory Group

7th June 2019 - FFA and PFA announce move towards gender equity for W-League and A-League player payments

7th March 2019 - Leadership programs launched to challenge gender diversity in Australian sport

5th March 2019 - Human Rights Commission and Golf Australia partner to release guidelines for gender equality in golf

4th March 2019 - New funding to upgrade sport facilities for women in Western Australia

11th December 2018 - Western Australian Government helps secure national target of 50% women in sport leadership roles

8th June 2018 - Report shows gender inequality in Australia’s major dance companies

18th April 2018 - Community sport key to gender equality

27th February 2018 - Chief Executives united in pursuit of gender equality in sport

26th May 2017 - Victorian Government to create new office to boost gender equality in sport

24th September 2016 - Gender balance in sport vital to improving public health

17th June 2016 - Australian Rugby commits to gender equality

6th January 2016 - Breaking the glass ceiling for women in sport

1st September 2015 - New Director appointments address gender imbalance on Australian Paralympic Committee Board

5th April 2013 - Gender balance shifts on Australian Olympic Committee Executive

19th April 2012 - Pushing for better governance in Australian sport

18th March 2011 - Federal Government tackling the gender divide in sport


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