Women and girls are to have a fairer access to community sporting facilities under a new policy from Sport and Recreation Victoria, the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, and VicHealth.
Welcoming the Fair Access Policy Roadmap, Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spence said the Australian-first three-phase initiative would set new minimum standards of access all across the State.
“At present, many Victorian women and girls don’t have access to the best courts or grounds, have facilities of lesser standard, or are relegated to less convenient competition and training times,” Ms Spence said.
“These barriers make it difficult for many to participate or reach their best,” she said.
“The Fair Access Policy Roadmap aims to develop a State-wide foundation to improve the access to, and use of, community sports infrastructure for women and girls.”
Ms Spence said that from July 2024, all Victorian Councils will need to ensure equitable access to sporting facilities for people of all genders to be considered eligible to receive infrastructure funding from the State Government.
She said the Roadmap featured three key phases: Education, Readiness and Progress.
“It is designed for local governments, sport and recreation organisations and other groups which manage publicly-owned community sports infrastructure,” the Minister said.
“In the first phase commencing this year, the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation will provide training, education and support to local councils, peak bodies and facilities to help them implement the Roadmap,” she said.
The 27-page Policy Roadmap can be accessed at this PS News link.
