Money and Community Attitudes Can Increase Participation of Women in Sport
Participation by women and girls in sport falls significantly in the late teenage and young adult years
The Chairman of Victoria’s peak sports body, Vicsport, today said changes in community attitudes and increased funding at the community sport level are needed to increase the participation and recognition of women in sport at all levels.
Participation by women and girls in sport falls significantly in the late teenage and young adult years, for a variety of reasons including body image and perceptions about not being “good enough”, and twice as many men as women participate in sport by their 30s, 40s and beyond.* 1
Currently in Victoria over 3.25 million Victorians play sport or are engaged in active recreation which involves 580,000 volunteers, 100 Sporting Associations and 16,000 clubs. *1
Margot Foster AM
Chairman
Vicsport
“At all levels of sport, from the elite to local country and suburban clubs, women have an active involvement as part of the team not only on the field, on the court or in the pool, but also as administrators, coaches, officials and in keeping clubs alive and thriving,”
Ms Foster said the political and community profile of sport in the future needs to take into account its role as a major part of the Victoria’s SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE employing 26,000 Victorians and its role in underpinning the health budget by keeping people healthy through sporting activities in the community.
“One of the major areas to be addressed is the increase in funding to grass roots sporting activities to strengthen the capacity of local clubs and associations to maintain and expand their operations and give more people the chance to be active, fit and healthy.”
It was encouraging to see the current Victorian Government recently release a good discussion paper “Valuing Sport and Recreation a framework for the future background information” providing an opportunity for sporting bodies and the community to comment on the future direction of sport in Victoria, Ms Foster said.
Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Media Communications, Vicsport – Mobile: 0417 329 201
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