Plan to engage more women in sport

Increasing the number of females in sport and active recreation is the focus of a new Queensland Government plan to encourage life-long participation and engagement opportunities.

University of Queensland’s School of Human Movement Studies head Professor Doune Macdonald is chairing the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Women and Girls in Sport that will be looking at ways to promote sport to women and girls.

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show males outnumber females when it comes to participation in organised sport across every age group.

“We will be looking at strategies to break down some of the associated barriers like cost, competence and childcare that may hinder women’s participation in sport,” Professor Macdonald said.

“Schools are very important for developing interest and skills in sport from a young age and therefore the schooling sector will be one of the partners we will be engaging with over the next six months, along with state sporting organisations.”

The committee will take a co-ordinated approach to understand the needs, priorities and interests of women in sport, and will provide a final report in September this year.

The committee, supported by a secretariat from within the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing (NPRSR), also comprises:
• five-times beach volleyball Olympian Natalie Cook
• Softball Queensland General Manager Sue Nisbet
• Queensland Academy of Sport’s Centre of Excellence Director Dr Sue Hooper
• Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) former president David Keating.

The group brings a wealth of experience to the table, and will draw on its collective expertise as well as consulting with the wider sporting community and seeking input to assist the process.

Contact: Janelle Hocking, Marketing and Communications, UQ School of Human Movement Studies, +61 7 3365 6764 or j.hocking1@uq.edu.au