An innovative sport leadership program, run by NSWRL in partnership with the University of New England (UNE), has today received a State Government grant to continue to shape the development of female coaches and officials.
The Her Sport Her Way Grants Program is part of the NSW Government’s Women in Sport strategy, Her Sport Her Way.
The NSW Minister for Tourism and Sport, The Hon. Stuart Ayres, today announced $650,000 to 24 sporting organisations so they can continue to increase participation, promote and encourage women to be leaders in sport.
NSWRL has been allocated $50,000 for its Women in Sport Leadership Program, which aims to provide aspiring elite female coaches with further skills and knowledge to excel as leaders.
NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said: “The Australian sporting sector has the potential to become a leader in gender equity, but to achieve this we need to enhance the recruitment and retention of women leaders, coaches and match officials.
“We hope this program will help enable women to explore greater career opportunities.
“It not only supports the development of the women’s Rugby League competition; it promotes the advancement of women into senior coaching and leadership roles in other sports and workplaces, too.”
The first intake of 13 women in the joint NSWRL-UNE pilot program graduated in April this year.
Minister Ayres was joined at the graduation ceremony at Ignite HQ Centre of Excellence by Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler and Channel Nine sports reporter Emma Lawrence, who had both made presentations during the program.
Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder and her assistant Ruan Sims were two of the graduates.
The 20-week pilot program, involving online learning and four two-day face-to-face workshops, was held between November 2021 and March 2022 and brought together coaches and officials representing Rugby League, Rugby Union, Athletics and Football.
The participants have now gained nationally recognised credit towards a Certificate IV or Diploma level qualification in leadership and management.
Following the success of the Women in Sport Leadership Program, NSWRL and UNE are planning for a second intake of women in September this year.
