Empowering Monash Women

Monash University recognises and appreciates the immense value that active involvement in sporting and recreational clubs and programs can bring to our students.

Whether it's fostering social connections, honing skills, or providing essential stress relief, we are dedicated to nurturing and expanding opportunities for students to embark on, and sustain, their sporting journeys throughout and beyond their time at Monash.

Research shows that women between the ages of 18 and 24 often disengage from organised sports, resulting in a significant decline in club memberships and overall participation in sports upon entering university. Furthermore, despite Monash University boasting equal participation rates between men and women in club sports, it's evident that female club committee members only represent 21% of Club Presidents.

In an effort to support greater leadership in sport, Team Monash has developed the Women in Sport Initiatives.

Women in Sport Leadership Retreat

Team Monash is thrilled to be hosting the Women in Sport Leadership Retreat on February 8-9, 2024, as part of our Women in Sport Initiatives.

This event is designed to empower female-identifying student leaders who are engaged in sporting communities, external to or within the University, by equipping them with practical skills and the confidence to lead within and beyond Monash.

30 female-identifying student leaders will be selected to attend the event that will consist of 2 days of workshops, networking, self development, guest speakers and more!

What: 30 student delegates will be chosen through a competitive selection process. 

When: 8.30am Thursday 8 - 4.30pm Friday 9 February 2024

Where: Pullman Melbourne on the Park, East Melbourne. 

All accommodation, meals and conference expenses are covered (travel excluded). 

Applicants must:

• be a female-identifying individual;

• be a currently enrolled Monash University student;

• be able to attend the entirety of the conference from 8.30am Thursday February 8 to 4.30pm Friday February 9 2024 inclusive.

Applicants should meet two or more of the below criteria:

• be a member of a Monash sporting club or part of a Team Monash program as of July 2023;

• be a member of a Community sporting club or program as of July 2023;

• have a demonstrated leadership capacity; and/or 

• have a demonstrated interest in participating in a club/sport leadership position.

Each applicant must also provide the details of a supporting reference. This should be someone within their sporting club or program who can verbally support and endorse their nomination for the Conference

Applications will close on 5.00pm, Friday 1 December 2023. 

Apply here!

Leadership Conference Enquiries:

Email: chloe.gibson1@monash.edu

Women in Sport Luncheon 

In October 2022, Monash University held a Women in Sport Luncheon. At this inaugural event, we launched the conversation about how sport participation provides opportunities for female students to become leaders at a young age.

The event gathered over 100 individuals from the Monash community and provided an opportunity to acknowledge that there are barriers to female participation in sport and encouraged discussion around how we can create a network that supports, encourages and celebrates what women achieve.

The launch event hosted a Q & A with Australian Basketballer, Lauren Jackson AO OLY. Lauren is one of Australia’s greatest female basketballers and was crowned an All-Star in her first WNBA season. Her hard work and dedication to life in and around sport make her an inspirational role-model to women all around the world.

To view all the photos from the event, visit our Facebook page here.

Female sport participation

In Australia, sport is a key part of national identity and within this sporting culture, exceptional female athletes have made significant contributions to Australian sport, bringing home medals, winning championships and competing at the highest levels.

Examples include the success and widespread support for the Matildas (soccer) at the FIFA World Cup, the continued success of the Diamonds (netball) on the world stage, the foundation of the AFLW, and the Opals (basketball) remaining in top-3 positions in international competitions. 

Despite the rise in participation; media coverage and senior leadership rates remain low. Coverage of women’s sports events persists at less than 10% and only 23% of senior leadership roles in sport are occupied by women.

What next?

While Monash’s Performance, Representation and Engagement Programs (PREP) is working hard to bring you the Women in Sport Leadership Conference we are always looking for suggestions and ideas on how to engage and uplift women in sport. 

If you are passionate about this issue please contact us to get involved.

Enquiries

Email: teammonash-enquiries@monash.edu