In August 2022, the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, in partnership with Sport and Recreation Victoria and VicHealth announced the ‘Fair Access in Sport Policy Roadmap’ (FAPR) to support gender equitable access and utilisation of community sports infrastructure in Victoria.

In response to this 'roadmap', we have prepared a draft Fair Access in Sport Policy to improve gender equitable access and use of our community sporting facilities. Specifically, this policy aims to engage more women and girls participating in community sport as a player, coach, umpire, volunteer or committee member.

Aside from it making a great impact in our community, we need to have this policy in place in order to continue to receive State Government funding. Sports clubs will also need to show how they are supporting and responding to the policy to be successful in their own funding and grant applications.

We value our sporting community and the variety of sports that women and girls participate in within Port Phillip. We are committed and excited to further drive this participation by making sure that women and girls have access to the best courts, grounds and facilities, as well as access to convenient competition and training times.

A 'Fair Access in Sport' Policy will help support sports clubs in removing barriers for women and girls to participate in sport and recreation. It will also highlight the changes that need to be made, and our response to support gender equity in sport.

The draft 'Fair Access in Sport' Action Plan details ways that both sports clubs and Council can implement what is outlined in the draft Policy.

A key action for clubs to take is completing an ‘audit’ of their operations and programs, to identify ways to progress gender equity at their club.

(Council recognises that some clubs may be more advanced than others, and that timelines and outcomes may look different for different clubs).

The final 'Fair Access in Sport' Policy and Action Plan will be adopted by Council by 30 June 2024. The policy will be implemented by both City of Port Phillip and sports clubs. The draft Action Plan outlines a range of short, medium and ongoing actions to promote fair access in sport.

It is great that your club is already supports participation for women and girls in sport.

We recognise that some clubs will be better resourced than other clubs, will have progressed further, or have different short term and long-term goals, so achievements of one club will look different to the other.

The draft policy and supporting action plan takes this into account. So in short, this policy will still apply to your club.

That's great news. Thinking ways that can support participation of women and girls in your club is very important. Make sure you get in touch with your club and share your brilliant idea.

If you let us know your idea, we can discuss how we might be able to support you, and perhaps share with other clubs, too.

We want everyone’s feedback! Whilst you don’t play sport, you are likely to still have insights that help us understand what barriers exist, or where we need to focus more attention. Please take the survey on this page, or come along to one of the info sessions listed.

If your club uses facilities that are not managed by Council, compliance to a formal policy will be managed by your State Sporting Association or Parks Victoria.

However, contributing to Port Phillip’s 'Fair Access in Sport' Policy is still important for your club, so please take the survey or come along to one of the events listed.

Going forward, Council will need to show how clubs are supporting equitable outcomes (as outlined in the draft Policy) to be eligible for Victorian Government community sport infrastructure funding programs.

Sports clubs will need to show how you are responding and being compliant with this policy if you also want to be eligible for any future government funding and grant opportunities.