March 9th, 2022Community sport for women

Community sport will play a role in the prevention of violence against women, on and off the field, as the state government equips clubs and organisations with new grants and guidelines.
Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams and Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence has announced $2.3 million for the Preventing Violence Through Sport grants program and Guidelines for Preventing Violence Against Women.
Grants of up to $200,000 will be available to support new and existing partnerships for clubs, leagues and associations to deliver violence prevention initiatives for players, coaches and volunteers.
The prevention strategies must be driven by the new guidelines, which focus on working with young people to build safe and respectful cultures in sporting clubs to end attitudes that excuse or downplay violence including sexual violence.
This includes the development of gender equality action plans, gender equity and bystander action training – including how to call out disrespect and sexism.
Violence against women is serious and prevalent in our community but it is preventable. The Labor Government is committed to ending this violence by addressing the underlying social conditions that allow it to occur.
Victorians love sport and community sport can play a crucial role in driving inclusion and equality – breaking down prejudice and fostering a common ground for everyone in the club room, on the field and in the stands.
The Government has invested $1.5 million in the development of the Guidelines, including pilot projects funded by the Office for Women and coordinated by Sport and Recreation Victoria.
Applications for the grants opened on Monday, March 7 and will close on Friday, April 29. For more information or to apply, visit sport.vic.gov.au.
Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams: “To end violence against women we need a whole community approach. By challenging gender inequality in community sport, we can make it more inclusive. By promoting and normalising gender equality on and off the field, we can change the attitudes and behaviours that allow violence against women to occur.”
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence: “I’m proud that these grants and guidelines will create opportunities for sporting clubs and organisations to address inequality and promote safe environments for all to get active. Our community sporting clubs can play a vital role in shifting attitudes. Everyone in sport deserves to be part of a club that is respectful and free from violence.”