THE State Government has launched a new Women in Sport Taskforce which will work to raise the profile and participation levels of girls and women in sport and to address inequality that inhibits girls and women from actively and equally participating in the sport they love.
The landscape for women’s sport has changed immensely in recent years and as a result, the Taskforce has been re-established to continue to break down barriers and ensure women and girls thrive in sport in the future.
Given the rising popularity of women’s sport, it is vital for girls and women to have access to the support, equipment and training they need to pursue their sporting passions.
The Taskforce will tackle the issue of girls’ participation, given the Flinders University research which found South Australian girls are likely to quit sport from Years 10 to 12, as study and work are prioritised over sporting commitments.
All Taskforce members have a significant level of experience in women’s and girls’ sport and their insights will be crucial in informing the Taskforce’s priorities going forward.
The members of the Taskforce are: Eleni Glouftsis OAM – AFL/AFLW umpire and the first female field umpire to officiate an AFL match; Dr Amber Halliday OLY – dual Olympic rower, three-time world champion, former world record holder, former cyclist and Doctor of Psychology; Paul Vandenbergh – National Diversity Talent Manager for the AFL and the Indigenous Lead for Basketball Australia; Jenny Williams OAM – represented Australia in multiple sports and Principal Psychologist at Best on Ground Performance; Professor Murray Drummond – Director of Flinders University’s SHAPE Research Centre; Bronny Brooks – Vice-President of the Adelaide Jaguars Football Club, South Australia’s largest female-only soccer club; Craig Scott – President of the Goodwood Saints Football Club; Tony Wright – Executive Officer of the Limestone Coast Local Government Association.
The Taskforce has been re-established under the Malinauskas Government following the previous iteration of the Women in Sport Taskforce that ran from 2016 to 2018.
During this time, work carried out by the Taskforce included introducing two new funding programs – the Female Facilities and Female Participation Programs.
Dr Halliday said sport, experienced right, can be a foundation of mental health, resilience and wellbeing.
“I am passionate about helping women and girls experience sport and experience it right,” she said.
“The Taskforce is exactly what we need to boost female participation in sport and take action on things like coach education, to help boost the positive experiences women and girls have in sport.”
