Industry leaders announced as members of Women in Sport Advisory Group

June 7, 2019

The new Australian Women in Sport Advisory Group has been launched to advance game changing strategies for women in sport throughout Australia.

Chaired by philanthropist, AFL women’s football pioneer and women's sport advocate, Dr Susan Alberti AC, and backed by Victoria University, the Advisory Group is made up of diverse members and organisations to promote cross-sector insights, includes some of Australia’s most successful sport and business leaders.

It will discuss the current state of women in sport and identify where women in sport should be positioned by 2030, the associated priorities, and the opportunities for organisations regardless of sector to work together to create a greater impact.

The outcomes from this Advisory Group are expected to create new strategies that will increase the pace to advance women in sport throughout Australia.

These outcomes will guide funding bodies and related government and private sectors on the priorities required, and create a streamlined focus on strengthening the positioning of women in sport over the next decade.

The Women in Sport Advisory group members include:

• Mark Anderson, Chief Executive, Collingwood Football Club (past Chief Executive Swimming Australia and Hockey Australia)
• Julie Bissinella, Program Director, Male Champions of Change Ltd
• Professor Clare Hanlon, Susan Alberti Women in Sport Chair, Victoria University
• Peter Nash, Director Westpac, Mirvac and the John Lyng Group
• Kate Palmer, Chief Executive, Sport Australia
• Luke Sayers, Chief Executive, PwC Australia

Commenting on the new body, Professor Hanlon explains "this is an exciting time for women in sport. There is an increased understanding in the industry about why it is good for business to have more women and girls involved in sport, and the momentum is growing.

“To support this growth, we need to ensure innovative and strategic approaches are adopted. The outcomes created by this group of key influencers will help expand the reach of resources, embed strategies, and create systematic approaches to advance organisations and the opportunities they provide for women as leaders and participants in sport.

Palmer added “the quest for gender equality in sport has come a long way, but there is still a long way to go.

"Women remain under-represented in sport, particularly areas like coaching and executive roles. Diversity is critical in any industry and it is important that we continue work to make sport the benchmark for a more equitable society.”

Click here form more information on the Women in Sport Advisory Group and its members on the VU Women in Sport website at www.vu.edu.au/about-vu/university-profile/women-in-sport

Women in Sport Summit 2019
Also in the area of female sport, Konnect Learning's Women in Sport Summit will be again staget in August

Building on the success of the inaugural 2018 Summit, the 2019 edition aims to give delegates clear strategies on how to realise gender equality in theu organisation, grow female audiences, boost female participation, cultivate elite pathways for women and commercialise opportunities.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Kate Palmer, Sport Australia;
• Kate Jenkins, Sex Discrimination Officer Australian Human Rights Commission;
• Craig Tiley, Chief Executive, Tennis Australia.

The Summit is being held at the Pullman Melbourne Albert Park from 6th to 8th August.

For more information on the Women in Sport Summit 2019 click here to go to the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Main image: Women in Sport Advisory Group Chair Dr Susan Alberti with Professor Clare Hanlon at Victoria University. Courtesy of Victoria University.

7th March 2019 - Leadership programs launched to challenge gender diversity in Australian sport

8th February 2019 - Sport Australia’s Kate Palmer says now is the time to stop talking about ‘women’s sport’

30th November 2018 - New research highlights ongoing barriers to women in sport leadership

14th November 2018 - Victoria University to benefit from million-dollar investment in women’s sport

22nd June 2018 - Philanthropist Susan Alberti named Parks and Leisure Australia Ambassador

7th June 2018 - Twin Melbourne conferences to address role of women in sport

15th November 2016 - AFL advised to plan for long term interest in women’s competition

1st September 2014 - Peggy O’Neal to chair Victorian Government ‘Women in Sport’ taskforce

21st August 2013 - AWRA call for Government backing to promote more female leaders in sport

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