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Fair Access Policy Roadmap

The Fair Access Policy Roadmap aims to develop a state-wide foundation for gender equitable access to, and use of, community sports infrastructure for women and girls, to support participation in community sport and active recreation across Victoria.

Fair Access Policy Roadmap

Learn about the Roadmap and its goal to make sure women and girls across the state have equal access to community sports facilities.

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Fair Access Principles

There are 6 principles to help guide local government, public land management groups and sporting organistions in bringing Fair Access to life.

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Fair Access for peak bodies

Find out what Fair Access means for peak bodies including councils, state sporting associations and state sport and active recreation bodies.

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Fair Access for clubs and associations

Find out what Fair Access means for clubs, leagues and associations, and Committees of Management.

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View video transcript

Vision: View of a basketball court and a small child walks in and climbs on a chair to face the camera.

Narrator

Hi. What have you got there? Is that your special ball?

Child 1

Yes.

Vision: Child 1 punches the ball away.

Narrator

Are you really good at sport?

Child 1

Yes. I’ve been practicing.

Narrator

Why did you want to start playing football?

Child 1

Because my mum plays.

Narrator

Do mums get to play football?

Child 1

Yeah.

Vision: A small child is lifted onto the chair by an adult and faces camera.

Narrator:

What sport do girls play?

Child 2

Rugby.

Vision: View of small child and adult sitting in chairs facing camera.

Child 3

Girls and boys can play anything they want.

Vision: View of older child sitting on chair facing camera.

Child 4

I think everyone deserves the same chance. I don’t think that should be determined by their gender.

Text: Women and girls are still fighting for fair access in community sporting clubs across Victoria.

Vision: Adult 1 walks into the scene.

Vision: View of an adult sitting on the chair.

Adult 1

This is so weird.

Narrator

What are some of the barriers that you’ve faced as a woman in sport?

Vision: View of adult female sitting on chair.

Adult 2

We were made to get changed under a scoreboard, not ideal, but at the time I didn’t know any different so you just think that that’s what happens and you move on.

Adult 1

We had to fight for just space on a playing field. We get given a corridor to play on whereas often the men’s teams will have the rest of the oval.

Adult 2

And then you are told that they’ve fourth quarter has been pulled short so they can start the men’s game on time.

Adult 3

It’s sad but you kind of become a bit accustomed to it. It’s one of those things that you have to, as a female, kind of ignore.

Adult 4

It makes us feel like shit, like, you know, like we don’t feel valued in these environments.

Narrator

Why do we accept that in sport?

Adult 3

It’s just the way country football’s always been set up. I think girls are just really taught that, like, the boys are going to be the ones that are going to be the sporting heroes. It’s always been male-dominated and that’s the reason why I think most women do take a step back and just accept it.

Text: It’s time for change.

Adult 1

Often, you know, if you have a dominant form of people in these spaces those views will continue.

Adult 5

Males have also a role to play in this and we need to start changing our communication.

Adult 6

We want to be united. We want to be one club.

Adult 7

When we have women’s games we’ll purposely put on the main field. No other games are playing at the same time. You have your change room. Let’s make the effort because it’s important.

Adult 1

Community sport’s hurt me in many ways, in many instances, but at the same time I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for community sport. So, I tell women and girls to stick with it and hopefully the systems will catch up to better support us.

Adult 2

It’s now our turn. It’s now our turn to shine.

Vision: View of lady giving little girl a kiss on the cheek.

Text: It’s time to lift our game. It’s time for Fair Access.

Text; Change Our Game. To find out more about the Fair Access Policy Roadmap, visit: changeourgame.vic.gov.au.

Text: Victoria State Government. Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.

Page last updated:  12 December 2024

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