In 2009 Moreland City Council led the way for councils in Victoria to prioritise the allocation and use of sporting grounds and pavilions to clubs which demonstrate inclusiveness of women and girls. This action was in response to research and consultation that indicated that there was a serious imbalance in the uptake of sports for women and girls in the municipality, with just 8% of sporting ground users being female. The new policy also encouraged inclusiveness of people with a disability and those from culturally diverse communities.
In the intervening years, this policy has been strengthened, moving from encouraging inclusiveness to mandating inclusiveness for clubs using council facilities. At the current time, the leasing and allocation of council facilities will only be provided to clubs whose membership provides opportunities for junior sides, female sides, female development initiatives, and female representation on club committees and boards. Clubs have a three year phase-in period to achieve the policy objectives, with council offering workshops and seminars to assist clubs in implementing the policy.
Local sports such as football, cricket and netball have combined their governance practices, increasing camaraderie between clubs and pooling resources to effectively deliver more female and family friendly environments and programs. One club now combines five different sports, with netball and softball being started to provide sporting activities for the mothers of junior participants.
As a result, female participation in sporting ground use has more than doubled, increasing from just 8% in 2009 to 22% in 2016, a 161% increase in female participation in organised sport.
Taking steps to ‘level the playing field’, whatever the playing field may be, provides more equal opportunities that are good for everyone.
For further information please contact Moreland City Council.
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