Increasing Women on Gender Inclusive Boards in NSW
Published Tue 20 Sep 2022
Women Leaders Get on Board
Sport NSW are continuing their engagement with women in the NSW sporting sector through the Female Leaders Get on Board Program. Part of the Increasing Women on Gender Inclusive Boards in NSW Initiative funded by the NSW Office of Sport, a group of current or aspiring female leaders and directors took part in the 2-day program.
Over 35 applications were received with 27 being selected to participate. They represented a diverse cross section of the NSW Sporting industry including, but not limited to, community directors, state sporting organisation directors, senior and emerging leaders, and sports media professionals.
The program combined the Australian Institute of Company Directors Governance Foundations for Not-for-Profit Directors Course with a board readiness workshop run by The Thinking Women Co.
“The Get on Board Program has really set me up for success. The course demonstrated the grounding governance principles of not-for-profit boards with key theoretical and practical examples to take away and implement in my capacity as a new Director on the Athletics NSW Board,” said Lexy Gilmour.
“The cohort of women selected for the program also made the two days come to life. All attendees were transparent and shared real-life learnings. It was a great opportunity to network and improve the presence of women in leadership within sport, together,” she added.
Sport continues to address a gender imbalance at board level with less than 40% of state sporting organisations directors identifying as female.
Chair of Sport NSW, Carolyn Campbell reiterates the need for development programs targeting women and the gender balance in the industry.
“Providing further training to emerging and aspiring female leaders and directors is one key element within the Sport NSW Increasing Women on Gender Inclusive Boards in NSW Initiative and compliments well the work we are doing to increase inclusive practices within state sporting organisation boards and leadership,” she said.
