Professional Development Scholarships Program
Victorian women will have the chance to build the specialist skills to thrive in leadership roles in the sport and active recreation sector, thanks to the Change Our Game Professional Development Scholarships Program.
The Program aims to support women to obtain and succeed in leadership roles across their different career stages:
- new to the workforce or returning from a career break
- aspiring to become a CEO or senior executive
- current senior executives, and
- new or aspiring board directors
The program offers several development opportunities aligned to career stage, including grants of up to $5,000 and $10,000 to complete professional development courses, through the Learning and Executive streams. A Next Generation Leaders stream offers career coaching to help aspiring executives map their career paths and the skills needed, while participants in a Governance stream can complete a specialised sports governance course.
Ballarat resident Shenae Keleher took part in last year’s 2022-23 Change Our Game Professional Development Scholarships Program in the Next Generation Leaders Stream. She has since been promoted to Chief Executive Officer at FedUni WestVic Academy of Sport.
“The time spent working with my career coach has been immediately impactful, empowering and supportive, which I feel has provided me with the skills for swift professional growth. I’ve described the program to peers as ‘a psychologist for your career, a really great guiding hand’. Connecting with fellow women in our local sporting industry has been invaluable and created a supportive network” Shenae said.
Since 2018, the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation has supported 553 participants through Change Our Game professional development programs, including 97 participants in last year’s inaugural Professional Development Scholarships Program.
Director of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, Sarah Styles, said “We know women remain under-represented in sports leadership roles, despite their abilities, and through initiatives like the Change Our Game Professional Development Scholarship Program, we are helping remove barriers to opportunities and success for women.”
Individuals and organisations can nominate depending on the program stream. Applications close at 5pm AEST on Monday 28 August 2023.
Saturday 29 July, 2023
