GIS industry masterclass inspires growth in women’s sport

Avatar
Image Credit: Soccerscene

The Global Institute of Sport hosted an industry masterclass on Wednesday, 13 August, at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, focusing on “Growth and Opportunities in Women’s Sport.”

The evening began with an introduction to GIS and its programs designed to develop the next generation of sports industry leaders. The panel featured Dr Alana Thomson from the University of Newcastle, Chantella Perera, General Manager of KOJO Sport and advisory board member, and Yael Reed, a sport commercial and marketing leader.

Image Credit: Soccerscene

All three guests were incredibly insightful, sharing their personal experiences in women’s sport and offering their perspectives on how the sector will continue to grow in the future, whilst also answering questions about certain vital topics involving women’s sport.

The event concluded with an open networking session, giving attendees the chance to connect with industry professionals, alumni, and students.

Image Credit: Soccerscene

Ray Boggiano, Regional Director, Asia-Pacific for the Global Institute of Sport (GIS) spoke on the success of the women’s sport masterclass event and how important it is for the students.

“We had fantastic guest speakers, first of all Chantella Perera who is one of our industry advisory board members and has done a few guest speaking sessions with us so far, and we had Yael Reed who came on board through a call-to-arms looking for people to share their story and she reached out and was keen to get involved,” he said in an interview with Soccerscene.

“We have a strong network of people within sport and we’re always looking to expand that because people within sport are often looking to give back to the next generation of sports leaders and impart their knowledge, and I thought the whole event was a great success.”

Image Credit: Soccerscene

Boggiano also spoke on the growth of female students within GIS and how they plan to keep moving in the right direction.

“We have a stated strategy to increase the number of women studying our programs first of all but then secondary to that is getting more women into sports careers,” he said.

“We do that through a number of different avenues, one is events and engagement opportunities like this event, another is mentoring so our industry advisory board mentor many of our students.

“Then we also have scholarships available for women in sports across all of our programs, we just launched one for our Sydney campus so lots of different initiatives but it’s definitely the aim of ours to get more women into sport.”

To find out more about future GIS events, click HERE

Previous ArticleNext Article

Football Victoria Backs Campaign to Shield Junior Players from Gambling Harm

Avatar

More than 600 sporting clubs across Victoria have enrolled in a state government program designed to limit young players’ exposure to gambling, with Football Victoria now urging its community clubs to join before a late-July registration deadline.

The Love the Game initiative asks clubs to formally commit to a set of principles: refusing sports betting sponsorships, developing internal harm prevention policies, and building environments where coaches, parents and players are equipped to discuss gambling risks with children.

The program’s public health rationale has a sharper statistical edge than its community-facing materials suggest. A 2025 study of Victorian secondary school students aged 12 to 17 found that nearly 30% had gambled at some point, and among those who had gambled in the past year, 7.5% met the criteria for problem-gambling and a further 26.8% were classified as ‘at-risk’. The research, commissioned by the state government and published earlier this year, also found that students exposed to gambling venues and advertising were more likely to gamble or to do so in a risky manner.

The most recent Victorian Population Gambling Study found that Victorians aged 18 to 24 are the group least likely to gamble overall, yet carry the highest rates of harmful gambling across all age groups. Young people aged 18 to 34 are around five times more likely to bet on sports than older cohorts.

When the data lands at the clubhouse door

Football Victoria’s support for the program reflects a broader recognition within community sport that participation rates and club culture are connected. The environments clubs create shape whether young people stay in sport and what norms they carry with them into adulthood. For football specifically, which draws participants across a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds, that responsibility is not evenly distributed. Approximately 440,000 Victorians, or 8.5 per cent of the state’s population, are classified as being at some risk of experiencing problem gambling.

The Victorian Government’s program gives clubs more than symbolic membership. Registered clubs receive practical tools to develop governance frameworks around gambling harm, resources for coaching staff and volunteers, and standing as part of a growing network of clubs taking a formal position on the issue.

Researchers have described the current framing of gambling harm as a matter of personal responsibility as inadequate, arguing it is a public health issue requiring a systemic response. Community football clubs, with their reach into households across the state, are one of the institutional levers available to make that response visible.

Melbourne Victory driving strong partnerships with BYD

Avatar
TY Lim / Shutterstock.com

The innovative vehicle manufacturer will join the Victory family as a Major Partner and Exclusive Motor Vehicle Supplier in a 12-month deal.

 

Elite performance, accessible for all

The alliance between Melbourne Victory and BYD reflects both parties’ commitment to progress, efficiency and high performance. It brings together two organisations who share vision and values, two fundamental aspects of any successful partnership.

On one hand is a rapidly growing and community-connected manufacturing company with over 100 sites, intent on providing reliable vehicles to Australian families. On the other, a successful club in the heart of Melbourne, with ambitions to progress on the pitch while regularly engaging with the community.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, commented on the strong foundations of the partnership with BYD.

“Founded only a decade apart, there is a shared history of, and ambition for, continued accelerated growth between Melbourne Victory and BYD.”

“Not only is there a clear alignment of our vision and values to lead, unite, connect and inspire, but a mutual commitment to creating a better future for our communities.”

 

Delivering for the community

As part of the partnership, BYD’s branding will feature on Victory’s home and away jerseys, as well as across the Academy, media and Community assets.

Moreover, the agreement comes as a response from Victory to members and fans’ wishes for not just any vehicle partner, but one which is appropriate and coherent to their day-to-day lives. And as BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Collins, explained, the new energy vehicle manufacturer is driving far more than just passengers.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Melbourne Victory, a club that shares our relentless drive for performance and innovation,” expressed Collins.

“As the exclusive vehicle supplier, we’re not just providing new energy mobility; we’re supporting the team’s journey towards a more sustainable future.”

New energy, new partner and new ambitions for Melbourne Victory, who will compete on the international stage next season in the AFC Champions League Two.

And with a partner like BYD to back them, players and fans in the Victory family will be hoping it is the start of a journey to success.

 

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend