The Andrews Labor Government today joined VicHealth to launch a new initiative to improve gender equality in sport, both on and off the field.
Minister for Health Jill Hennessy announced the new $7.5 million Changing Our Game; Advancing gender equality in sport program – which is backed by female sport stars from the AFL Women’s League, the Women’s Big Bash League and the Women’s National Basketball League.
Ambassadors include Australian cricket star Meg Lanning, Molly Strano from the Melbourne Renegades, Daisy Pearce from the Melbourne Football Club, Lauren Arnell from the Carlton Football Club, Emma Kearney from the Western Bulldogs and Maddie Garrick from the Melbourne Boomers.
VicHealth and the ambassadors will raise the profile of women’s sport in Victoria, boost participation for women and girls and highlight the importance of women’s leadership in sport.
This includes improving policies and practices to create welcoming and inclusive environments for women and girls, where they can take on leadership roles in clubs and sporting organisations.
It will also encourage more women and girls to embrace healthy and active lifestyles, while also improving attitudes towards gender equality in sport.
The VicHealth initiative complements the Labor Government’s Change Our Game campaign launched last year to motivate and inspire work to increase female leadership and participation in sport and active recreation.
Change Our Game is part of the Government’s investment of an additional $1 million to kick start implementation of the Inquiry into Women and Girls Sport and Recreation: a Five Year Game Plan for Victoria.
The initiative also complements the Labor Government’s $10 million investment to build female-friendly change rooms at grassroots clubs across the state.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“On the field, female participation is soaring, but off the field, women are still underrepresented on boards and other leadership roles. We’re changing that.”
“Participation in sport and physical activity is the key to better health and wellbeing. Our female sporting heroes will inspire more women and girls to get involved in grassroots sport.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport John Eren
“We love our sport in Victoria, and we know it’s a powerful vehicle for change. This campaign aims to break down the barriers and change gender stereotypes for good.”
“It’s simple – women deserve the exact same opportunities on the sports field as men. Whether it’s basketball, football or cricket, female athletes play a really exciting brand, and we should all get behind it.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020