Government makes HUGE gender demand of Australian sporting clubs, holding funding back as ransom

Australian sporting organisations will lose government funding if half their board members aren’t women within three years.

The federal government says under a new policy, 50 per cent of board directors and chairs, and also sub-committee members, must be women or gender diverse from 2027.

If not, funding will be withheld from non-compliant national sports organisations.

‘We need more women making decisions for more women,’ federal sports minister Anika Wells said in a statement.

‘Our sporting systems are not equal and this policy will help address the gender imbalances prevalent in sports leadership.

‘Diversity within an organisation’s senior roles provides a more complete mix of skills, perspectives and experiences, resulting in better decision-making and improved performance.

‘The incredible results by our women in Paris (at the Olympics and Paralympics) and the success of teams like the Diamonds, Stingers and Southern Stars has seen a surge in female participation but we still do not have an appropriate balance of senior leadership.’

Wells released the National Gender Equity in Sport Governance Policy on Tuesday with backing from the government agency Australian Sports Commission (ASC).

National and state-level sporting organisations across the country must have an equal split of women and men on boards from 2027

Currently, only 25 per cent of national sporting organisations, and national sporting organisations for people with disability, are chaired by a woman.

 And only 62 per cent of funded sports national organisations reach the required standard of gender diversity in board directors.

ASC chief executive officer Kieren Perkins said the fresh policy was crucial for long-term success in Australian sport.

‘As someone who has been fortunate to be involved in sport across four decades, it’s disappointing that in many respects sport looks the same today as it did 20 years ago,’ the three-time Olympic swimmer said.

The policy sets targets to be met from 2027 of 50 per cent of all board directors, and chairs, are women and/or gender diverse; and 50 per cent of specific board sub-committee members are women and/or gender diverse.

Currently, only 25 per cent of national sporting organisations, and national sporting organisations for people with disability, are chaired by a woman

The policy also forms a framework to improve representation of all elements of diversity including age, cultural background and disability in the longer term.

‘While this policy focuses on gender equity, it sets a framework to improve representation of all elements of diversity including age, cultural background, and disability in the longer term,’ ASC chair Kate Jenkins AO said.

‘A range of resources, practical tools, and programs will be made available to organisations to support them to meet these targets and navigate the challenges that may arise with substantial changes like this.

‘As someone who has worked in the gender equity and inclusion space for decades, today’s announcement is an important step for the sport sector. I’m optimistic about the positive impact this policy will have for sport at all levels.’