Applications open for Sport Australia’s Women Leaders in Sport Grants

Sport Australia is now accepting applications for the 2021 Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) Development Grants and Leadership Workshops.

Sport Australia is now accepting applications for the 2021 Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) Development Grants and Leadership Workshops.

The WLIS Development Grants and Leadership Workshops form part of the broader WLIS program, featuring activities that help women in the sports industry obtain new skills, knowledge and qualifications to progress their leadership pathway in the sector.

The programs are run by Sport Australia, partnered with the Office for Women. The highly regarded WLIS workshops mark its 20th year, where over 25,000 women in the sports industry have achieved leadership development since 2002.

Women working in the sports industry can apply for individual grants up to $10,000 to support their professional development and to attend online leadership workshops. Organisations are able to apply for leadership development grants up to $20,000 that covers workshops, seminars and conferences for staff.

“We know that having a greater balance of men and women in executive leadership positions makes sporting organisations more dynamic and well-rounded in the way they conduct their businesses,” Sport Australia Acting CEO Rob Dalton said.

“Having that diversity at a leadership level has a direct impact on engagement in sport and ultimately, positively impacts the bottom line for sports.

“It is vitally important to ensure that our next generation of female sports leaders are provided with genuine development opportunities, which is what this program delivers and why it has been extended and expanded for a four-year cycle.

“Sport Australia is so pleased the Australian Government has acknowledged the importance of the WLIS program with an increased funding commitment of $3.4 million over the next four financial years, ensuring the program can expand and deliver even further development opportunities for women to reach their leadership potential in our industry.”

Individuals and organisations have until Wednesday, March 17 2021 at 5pm to apply for the WLIS Development Grants and Workshops.

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How James Johnson Is Shaping Canada Soccer’s Billion-Dollar World Cup Commercial Future

Canada Soccer has confirmed a renewed long-term commercial agreement with Canadian Soccer Media and Entertainment, marking a significant reset in the federation’s revenue strategy as the country prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The updated partnership extends CSME’s control of Canada Soccer’s commercial rights, including sponsorship, broadcast and media licensing, while introducing revised financial terms designed to provide the federation with greater long-term revenue certainty and growth potential. The agreement replaces a previous deal that faced heavy scrutiny from players and stakeholders over concerns surrounding commercial valuation and distribution of revenues.

CSME, led by Group Chief Executive James Johnson, played a central role in renegotiating the structure, which aims to better align commercial returns with the sport’s accelerating domestic and international profile. The revised framework is expected to support increased investment across national team programs, commercial development and broader football growth initiatives.

The agreement arrives at a pivotal moment for Canadian football, with momentum building across both men’s and women’s programs and global attention increasing ahead of 2026. Securing a more sustainable commercial model is viewed as critical to ensuring the federation can maximise opportunities generated by hosting football’s largest tournament.

The renewed partnership also signals a shift toward long-term commercial planning, providing Canada Soccer with a more stable financial platform as it looks to strengthen its competitive standing and expand participation nationwide.

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