On April 28th, Sport SA made history by launching the Centre for Women’s Sport, the first national organization dedicated to increasing participation and opportunities for women in sports. The Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Centre for Women’s Sport, which was conceptualized by Sport SA and funded by the state government, will offer education, training, and leadership opportunities to women and gender equity programs for men and women alike.
Despite efforts to reduce the gender gap in sports, women still face discrimination that prevents them from fully accessing the benefits that sports can offer. This exciting initiative aims to remove barriers and foster a supportive environment where women can realize their full potential in sports.
The services that the Centre will offer to support women in the industry include:
- Mentoring and leadership training
- Career guidance and transitioning support
- Media, social media, public speaking, and communication training
- Education and training in identified ‘gaps’
- Networking and share learning opportunities, across sports and disciplines
- Coach and technical official development
- Board and Management development
- Gender equity programs for male leaders
Leah Cassidy, CEO of Sport SA, recognizes the importance of supporting women in the industry and believes that this initiative will enable more women to pursue a career in sports.
“This excites me because as a woman in sport, I have had first-hand experience of how programs like this can transform the experience for people trying to carve out a career in this sector,” says Cassidy.
“There will not be equality without equity – so we are starting by educating communities on how we can ensure women and girls are provided with the same levels of support and opportunities as their male counterparts.”
The Centre for Women’s Sport is named after Olympic Gold Medalist and former Governor of South Australia, The Hon. Marjorie Jackson-Nelson AC, CVO, MBE. Ms. Jackson-Nelson expresses her pride in being part of an initiative that will create positive outcomes for players, coaches, administrators, board members, and the entire sporting industry.
“I am especially proud that this Academy will be established so that South Australian girls of the future can aspire to be involved in sporting programs in some way,” she says. “It will no doubt provide them with the inspiration, encouragement, support and guidance to be able to fulfil their ambitions.”
The Centre for Women’s Sport is now open for expressions of interest. It will offer a range of programs and services designed to support women in sports and promote gender equity. These include education and training programs, mentorship and leadership opportunities, and initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in sports.
The launch of the Centre for Women’s Sport is a significant step forward in promoting gender equity in the sporting industry. It sends a clear message that efforts to achieve gender equity must be ongoing and sustained. We applaud Sport SA for this groundbreaking initiative and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on women’s participation and success in sports.
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Courtesy Sport SA