Queensland plan to get more women involved in sport

Five of Queensland's top sporting identities have come together to deliver a plan to get more women and girls involved in sport.

The group, convened by acting Queensland Recreation and Sport Minister Tracy Davis, held its inaugural meeting yesterday (Wednesday 6th March) ahead of International Women's Day on 8th March.

Minister Davis explained "figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show males outnumber females when it comes to participation in organised sport across every age group, which is why we're working on a tangible plan to drive real outcomes for women's involvement in sport in our great state.

"The group brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, with a nationally and internationally recognised elite athlete, academics and sports administrators."

The Ministerial Advisory Committee on Women and Girls in Sport comprises:

• Professor Doune Macdonald, Head of the University of Queensland's School of Human Movement;
• Natalie Cook, five time beach volleyball Olympian;
• Sue Nisbet, Softball Queensland General Manager;
• Dr Sue Hooper, Queensland Academy of Sport's Director Centre of Excellence;
• David Keating, former President of Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER).

Minster Davis added "these five people will build strategies to improve opportunities for participation and contribute ideas to also improve gender equity.

"The group will draw on its own considerable collective experiences, whilst also consulting with the wider sporting community and seeking input to assist the process.

"Queensland has an enviable reputation for producing some of Australia's leading female athletes who have had outstanding successes in local, national and international sporting arenas.

"But just as critically, we also want to encourage women to have a life-long participation in sport, including roles in coaching and officiating as well as leadership, administration and governance.

"To do that, we need a coordinated approach to fully understand the needs, priorities and interests of women in sport.

"We will be looking at new and traditional ways of encouraging greater participation, and exploring the role of our successful sportswomen and teams to champion women and girls in sport and recreation."

The Committee will be supported by a Secretariat from within the Queensland Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing (NPRSR) and will provide a final report in September this year.