Following community engagement where we heard from a range of people involved in sporting clubs across Glen Eira, along with the wider community, our first-ever Fair Access Policy and Action Plan were endorsed by Council at the September Council meeting.

At Glen Eira City Council, we believe all members of the community should be able to participate in community sport. We developed the Policy and Action Plan because we’re committed to providing opportunities for everyone to participate in community sport and active recreation.

We carried out engagement on the Policy and Action Plan because we wanted to hear from the community about how to best support gender equity and improve opportunities for women and girls.

We spoke to 26 sporting clubs at targeted engagement sessions and heard from more than 100 members of the community.

The top benefits of implementing fair access included increased inclusion and diversity followed by improved facilities. We also heard that a lack of funding and space was  a challenge.

The community would like us to review allocations and access to pavilions and grounds and provide quality facilities and grounds with equal consideration to all sports, including all weather pitches.

When asked about what would make a level playing field, women’s teams said it was not just about more facilities, but also more teams, more women in coaching, development programs and the retention of girls as they grew older.

The Policy and Action Plan cover inclusion, full participation, equal representation, encouraging and supporting user groups, and prioritising user groups commitment to equality.

The Policy works to eliminate gender inequality and create a fairer playing field to make community sport and recreation safe, accessible and inclusive — for everyone — from players, coaches, and administrators to volunteers, spectators and officials.

The Action Plan identifies specific actions to progress gender equity in community sport through policy, governance, programs, communications, and delivery of services. It involves Council and sporting clubs working together and outlines specific actions for both Council and clubs to deliver.

For more information about the community engagement, visit www.haveyoursaygleneira.com.au/fairaccess

Download a copy of the Policy and Action Plan