The State Government is supporting university researchers to play a leading role in shaping and supporting women and girls’ participation in sport and active recreation across Victoria.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence announced the 2022-23 Change Our Game Research Grants Program, which provides grants of up to $25,000 to Victorian university researchers.
Since 2018, almost $300,000 has been invested through the program to fund 14 research projects that address issues affecting women and girls in sport and active recreation.
The program backs the career development of researchers with an interest in gender equality and sport and advocates for an investigation to prevent barriers for women and girls to participate, lead and succeed in all areas of sport.
The Change Our Game Research Grants Program is offered through the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, the only office of its kind in Australia.
Community Sport Minister Ros Spence said that women encounter a range of barriers that reduce their participation in sports.
“We’ve seen that research has the power to drive change and researchers can play a vital role in helping us achieve gender equality in sport,” she said.
Research funded by these grants have had a meaningful impact on sporting competitions and organisations at both an elite and grassroots level, including AFLW and Netball Australia.
The State Government’s funding of research by Victoria University established a clear connection between flexible sports uniforms and the positive impact of girls feeling confident and comfortable to play sport. As a result, sport organisations have changed their uniform policies to be more inclusive and flexible for women and girls.
Through the Program, grant proposals can be submitted for two streams:
Sport leadership: women in sports media; gender equity in the sport job market; and men as allies in gender equity
Community sport and active recreation: fair access to community facilities; taking an intersectional approach; women in leadership roles in community sport; and adolescent girls’ participation in organised sport.
Applications for grants close on April 17, 2023.
Information: changeourgame.vic.gov.au.
