As 2024 draws to a close, we’re beyond excited here at the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation to share a special milestone with you.
Today, we’re thrilled to announce that fair access for women and girls in community sport is a step closer, with 100% of local councils across Victoria having now adopted a gender equitable access and use policy, in line with the Fair Access Policy Roadmap.
From Mallacoota to Mildura, Echuca to Elsternwick, Warrnambool to Wodonga, and everywhere in between, locally relevant policies are now in place state-wide to help level the playing field for women and girls in community sport for generations to come, tailored to local community needs, opportunities and challenges.
Beyond this impact on sport in our local communities, we also know that community sport is a powerful driver for social change, in challenging outdated stereotypes, in creating lifelong skills and confidence, and in empowering women and girls to shape their futures.
We are proud to play a part in helping to achieve a level playing field for women and girls in community sport. This has been years in the making, through the Fair Access Policy Roadmap.
Thank you to each and every individual who has been a part of the Fair Access journey, whether you are within a council, a state sporting association, a regional sports assembly or a community club.
Thank you as well to OWSR’s partners, VicHealth and Sport and Recreation Victoria, in helping to create this Australia-first to fundamentally dismantle the barriers faced by women and girls in the place where we all start: in community sport.
Together, we are all creating a future where everyone has equal access to sport.
As Director of OWSR, I’m proud of the passion and leadership we see here in Victoria to ensure women and girls are only influenced by their own choices when it comes to sport and active recreation, and look forward to continuing to create that world with you in the new year.
Wishing you a happy and safe festive period...see you in 2025!
Sarah Styles
Director of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation
Page last updated: 12 December 2024
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