AWRA gets ASC funding for staff appointment

Women and sport will receive a boost after the Australian Womensport & Recreation Association (AWRA) secured Australian Sports Commission (ASC) funding to hire a part-time Executive Officer.

The postholder will work with AWRA's board to help build a nation of healthier and stronger women by giving them greater access to sport, physical activity and recreational opportunities. Funding for the post will be for an initial 12 months.

AWRA President, Janice Crosswhite, said the funding will help attract the right calibre of applicant to build on AWRA's leadership and aims at national, state, local and community level.

Crosswhite explained "this is a much needed boost for AWRA's vision of increasing female participation in physical activity and leadership roles.

"Employing an Executive Officer is a big step in helping achieve better outcomes for women in sport and in Australian society."

Crosswhite said the AWRA staffer would also work closely with the ASC and the Federal Office for Sport to continue implementing the recommendations from the Australian Government's response to the Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee report: About Time! Women in Sport and Recreation in Australia (October 2012).

Federal Minister for Sport Kate Lundy backed AWRA as a voice for women's sport in Australia, stating "as a proud advocate for addressing barriers to women's participation in sport and physical activity, I am pleased to support AWRA and their work in promoting the sport that women play."

Other duties that the AWRA Executive Officer include working to develop a leadership and mentoring program for ASC Leadership grant recipients, restructuring AWRA's membership program, seeking new funding and partnership opportunities for AWRA, as well as guiding brand and website redevelopment.

The position is being advertised on

http://www.sportspeople.com.au