The Minister for Sport, Sussan Ley, and the Minister for Women, Michaelia Cash, have confirmed recipients of the 2017 Women Leaders in Sport grants, which will provide opportunities to more than 350 Australian women to develop their leadership potential as coaches, officials and administrators.

“The Women Leaders in Sport program in 2017 will assist 92 projects, including 78 individuals and 14 organisations, reaching more than 350 females across 42 different sports,” Ms Ley said.

“The Women Leaders in Sport program has supported the development ambitions of more than 23,000 women since its inception in 2002. This is an ongoing commitment from the Australian Government to ensure women continue to increase their influence in leadership roles in sport.” 

The Women Leaders in Sport Program is jointly funded by the Australian Sports Commission and the Office for Women.

The program will be expanded in 2017 to include a 12-month intensive leadership opportunity for 18 women identified by their sports as future leaders. Nominations for this program will be taken in December with successful applicants notified in late-January. 

The expansion has been made possible by a funding boost of $300,000 over the next three years.

Minister Cash said given the Women Leaders in Sport program has a proven history over 14 years. 

“The government is committed to ensuring that women in any industry are given equal opportunity to pursue their ambitions and careers, so it’s wonderful to see how the Women Leaders in Sport program continues to enhance the development of women in sport,” Minister Cash said. 

In 2015 more than 85 per cent of grants recipients said the program helped increase the opportunity for them to move into senior leadership roles within the sporting industry.

For more information and applications go to www.ausport.gov.au/wlis