Northern NSW Football has received $30,000 in funding as part of the NSW Government’s grant program, Her Sport Her Way.
Each year through its programs, the NSW Government’s Office of Sport provides millions of dollars to nurture sporting talent, help construct sports facilities and develop the industry.
Through this collaboration, an increase in women and girls involvement in football will be recognised, with the program aiming to encourage participation and opportunities on and off the field.
The NSW Government’s program, Her Sport Her Way, is a four-year strategy focusing on a stronger sporting sector where females are valued, recognised, and have equal choices and opportunities to participate.
Combatting the lack of women and girls in football, the outlined program contains 29 initiatives within the sectors of participation, places and spaces, leveraging investment, and leadership. Her Sport Her Way looks through a female perspective on how sport in NSW is delivered, coached, marketed, led, sponsored and consumed.
Not only does Her Sport Her Way provide grants, but other initiatives of the NSW government also include the Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered Program, Inclusive Facility Design and Innovation Forum, Leadership Program, and Her Sport Her Way Awards.
Acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of leaders in women’s sport, the Her Sport Her Way Awards assist to highlight gender equality in football.
With nominations open for each of the five categories in the 2022-23 Awards, Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor spoke of the importance of these awards in a statement:
“Women make such an incredible contribution to sporting clubs and communities right across NSW both on and off the field,” she said.
“The Her Sport Her Way Awards recognise the achievements of women in driving powerful change and leaving a legacy for the way women’s sport is played in NSW”.
Targeted at females, Northern NSW Football will fund three projects using the money provided to them by Her Sport Her Way. These projects will consist of delivering introductory match official courses in high schools, delivering introductory coaching courses in high schools, and delivering advanced coaching seminars.
Providing $2.45 million towards projects since 2019, Minister for Sport, Alister Henskens explained how the Her Sport Her Way program supported State Sporting Organisations to explore new initiatives that boost female sporting participation in a statement:
“This program is all about increasing female participation in sport, whether that’s on the field or in administration, coaching or volunteer roles,” he stated.
“Since the inception of this program four years ago the number of women and girls playing sport has evolved and diversified and by investing in grassroots programs and initiatives across NSW we will continue to secure a brighter future for women in sport.”
The Her Sport Her Way Awards feature five categories – Young Achiever, Local Champion, Outstanding Organisation, Trailblazer and Overall Champion.
Applications for the awards close on 28 February 2023.
