Applications are now open for the second round of the Victorian Government’s game changing women in sport leadership scholarships.

The Change Our Game Scholarship Program creates opportunities for women to pursue their leadership and development in the sporting and active recreation industry.

Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region, Shaun Leane said that local clubs and sporting bodies are encouraged to identify emerging female leaders within their sporting community for the scholarship program.

Scholarships range in value from $2,000 to $10,000 and applications are made through State Sporting Bodies or Regional Sports Assemblies.

The Change Our Game Scholarship Program highlights the State Government’s commitment to increase the number of women and girls participating in sport and active recreation.

The inaugural round helped 46 women across the state to access professional learning and development opportunities.

Since establishing the first Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, the Government is taking action to assist more women and girls to earn sport leadership roles across all levels of the Victorian sport and active recreation sector.

Including the previous scholarship round, the Change Our Game initiative has provided over $1M to the sector across various grant programs designed to level the playing field for women and girls at community, regional and state level.

For more information about the Change Our Game Scholarship Program visit www.sport.vic.gov.au

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region, Shaun Leane

“Sport and recreation offers vital opportunities for enriching our community and it is important that we are able to challenge the existing structures and traditional ways of working to develop leadership opportunities for women throughout the Eastern Metropolitan Region.”

Quote attributable to Head, Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, Dr. Bridie O’Donnell

“We are working in partnership with the sport and active recreation sector to deliver an equal playing field for women and girls at every level of our sport and recreation organisations and clubs. We were overwhelmed with the response and the quality of the applications for our first round and we look forward to seeing a similar response this time around.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, John Eren MP

“I encourage local sporting clubs and associations to push for change and prioritise the identification and development of our emerging female leaders.”

“Equality is non-negotiable for our government and we are proud to deliver on our commitment to help more women and girls reach the top both on and off the playing field.”