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Men as allies: supporting women and girls in community sport

Men play an important role in driving and supporting gender equality in community sport. Men, because of their power, influence and positions, have an important role as allies in levelling the playing field for women and girls. This research identifies practical and relevant actions for men to be allies for gender equality.

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Research purpose

This research aimed to identify practical and relevant actions for men to be allies for gender equality.

It was delivered by La Trobe University’s Centre for Sport and Social Impact, in collaboration with GippSport, funded through the Change Our Game Research Grants Program. It was released in June 2023.

Researchers engaged stakeholders at all levels of community sport, across 5 key stages,

Why is this important?

People learn and replicate attitudes, behaviours and social norms through their involvement in community sport. Community sport has the power to influence these attitudes and behaviours, negatively and positively.

Challenging gender inequality in community sport helps create inclusive, equitable, healthy and safe environments for women, men, girls, boys and gender diverse people – not only in sport, but more broadly in society.

How community sports clubs can lead change

Just as individual men should, it is important that clubs assess where they are at as organisations when it comes to attitudes and behaviours around and towards women and girls in sport.

To effectively provide allyship to women and girls and achieve meaningful change, clubs must assess their current position, progress through each stage of the process, and acknowledge that it takes time. Don’t try to jump ahead without setting a solid foundation.

To build a positive cycle for change, and advance gender equality in community sporting, start by…

1. Build positive role models

Role models actively promote gender equality and create environments that support others to do the same. Within a club, potential role models may include:

  • people who are closely connected to and respected by other men and boys within club
  • club leaders like presidents and committee members, coaches and elite athletes
  • parents or guardians, who influence their children through their own behaviour
  • fathers and husbands/partners who support engagement of their daughters and wives/partners

2. Engage and build relationships with men

To connect and build positive relationships with other men within community sport:

  • connect with men and boys who are ready to engage in conversations on gender equality highlight the positive role men can play (rather than focusing on them as the problem)
  • use club leaders and trusted voices that men will listen to
  • initiate specific activities (such as inviting them to attend and watch a women’s team play) to create further opportunities for future engagement
  • tailor approaches to effectively engage different target audience (e.g. adapt the approach when engaging coaches vs engaging parents)

3. Develop awareness and understanding of gender equality

To further educate men on gender equality:

  • listen to the experiences of women and girls to understand and co-design solutions to challenges
  • support role models to build awareness with other men and boys in the club about gender equality
  • gather evidence about club practices and present to the committee and/or members to influence decision making

4. Encourage individual change

To encourage men to make changes to their individual behaviour:

  • encourage men to commit to change, one behaviour at a time, to gradually and sustainably shift towards gender equality
  • celebrate and support men’s positive behaviours and acknowledge the positive impact they have on promoting gender equality within the club
  • become a role model for other men and boys within the club; inspire them to replicate positive behaviours and actively contribute to gender equality

5. Create a safe club environment

To create long-term change within a club that provides a safe and inclusive environment for women and girls:

  • advocate for wider change within the club and community, including implementing or modifying policies and practices, and developing gender equality action plans
  • become a role model to actively shift social norms within the club
  • become an ally to create a safe environment, not only for women and girls but also for other men who support gender equality

How men can be allies for women and girls

Men can effectively support women and girls in community sport by displaying supportive behaviours. Supporting men to understand which practical behaviours can have the biggest impact, and that are easy to do, can build their knowledge and confidence in driving change. For some men, this is about being aware of their own behaviours to start being an ally, or to encourage other men around them to consider their behaviours.

Read the full report below for practical examples of individual and structural ally behaviours that can support women and girls.

Access the full report

OWSR Research Summary_Men as allies supporting women and girls in community sport_June 2023 [PDF, 136.3 KB]

Page last updated:  12 September 2024

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