The Victorian Government is backing its commitment to achieving a level playing field in sport and active recreation, and supporting more women to take on leadership roles with funding for education and training.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today announced that applications are open for the first round of the Government’s 2020-21 Change Our Game scholarship program. Sporting clubs and bodies are encouraged to identify emerging female leaders within their community for the scholarship program.

Scholarships range in value from $2,000 to $10,000 and support a range of professional development activities aimed at enhancing skills in sport and recreation leadership and management. Applications are submitted on behalf of individuals by state sport and recreation bodies, regional sports assemblies and local government authorities.

The sector has been heavily impacted by coronavirus so a new category has been developed to the Change Our Game program to support career coaching for women who have had their employment impacted as a result of the pandemic.

This opportunity will support women who are looking to re-evaluate their career pathway or identify new areas of the sport and active sector where their skills could be transferred.

Since its inception in 2018, the program has created opportunities for women to pursue leadership and development training across all levels of the sport and active recreation sector.

The program has so far enabled more than 150 women working and volunteering in sport and recreation across the state to access professional learning and development opportunities and training courses.

The grants are part of the broader $7.2 million Change Our Game initiative aimed at levelling the playing field for women and girls in sport and recreation.

For more information about the Change Our Game Scholarship Program visit changeourgame.vic.gov.au.