Victorian Government continues to support Change Our Game program

The Victorian Budget 2021/22 will deliver $11.6 million to continue the pioneering work of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation. The funding will support the ‘Change Our Game’ program to continue making a difference for women and girls.

Victorian Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence lauded the Change Our Game activities that drive participation, leadership and visibility of women and girls on the field and in administration and governance.

Director of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation Sarah Styles notes “Victoria leads the way in realising a future where women and girls have equal choices and opportunities to lead and participate in sport and active recreation as the men and boys in their lives.”

Change Our Game scholarships further leadership opportunities for women ranging from community sport volunteers to senior leaders at state associations with successful applicants receive grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000.

Life Saving Victoria has achieved gender parity among its 37,000 members and also has majority women membership on its board. The community service and sporting institution will provide training opportunities for seven volunteers attached to local clubs courtesy of its Change Our Game support.

The latest round of 24 scholarships also includes Rana Hussain – Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Cricket Australia and a member of the Collingwood Football Club Anti-Racism Advisory Committee – and Dr Philippa Inge, the team doctor for the Australian women’s cricket team.

Hussain will take part in the ChangeUp Leadership Program while Dr Inge will participate in a leadership development program at the Melbourne Business School.

Some 380 people and organisations have received a Change Our Game scholarship since 2017, including Jaimie Collins of the Bicycle Network who in February participated in a workshop to build her management skills.

The NSW Government has also backed female sports participation by building 130 female friendly facilities across the state since 2015 – part of a $1 billion community sport infrastructure roll-out.

For more information about the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation and Change Our Game, visit changeourgame.vic.gov.au.