Page 2906 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 14 August 2019
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MS CODY: Minister, how will the government’s elite coaching scholarships for women contribute to women’s participation in sport?
MS BERRY: I thank Ms Cody for that question too. Of the 160 coaches accredited at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games only 15—or nine per cent—were women. That was down from 12 per cent at the 2012 London Olympics. In 2019 not a single head coach of an Australian Football League Women’s team is a woman, while only two W-League soccer coaches and less than 40 per cent of head coaches in the Women’s National Basketball League are women.
The 2018 women in sport forum held by the ACT government highlighted the unique perspective and value women coaches can bring. There are lots of quality women coaches, and yet despite the continued development and growing profile of women’s sporting competitions pathways for women coaches appear more constrained than ever.
Through the government’s elite coaching scholarships, 13 women coaches across 12 sports have received up to $5,000 to help them progress to higher level coaching positions. Women coaches bring a unique perspective and value to all sports. These new scholarships will assist to bridge the current gap in the coaching development opportunities for female coaches and link participants through their sports to high-level coaching education and resources.
Recipients supported by a state sporting organisation or team will have access to coaching-specific education and training through accreditation courses, mentorships with peak bodies and sports teams as well as coaching equipment and other costs associated with the recipients’ coaching programs.
MS ORR: Minister, who are some of the recipients of the elite coaching scholarships for women?
MS BERRY: I thank Ms Orr for her interest in this important matter. Recipients of the government’s elite coaching scholarships come from a range of sports. There are women coaching in Rugby League, swimming, baseball, touch football, Rugby Union, boxing, table tennis, netball, athletics, cricket and basketball.
Among the recipients is Karen Pon, a coach with Table Tennis ACT. Through her scholarship, the government is assisting Karen to regain her accreditation as well as prepare her for the next level of coaching by working with a mentor coach. Karen will be learning from higher level coaches and using that knowledge and experience to support the growth of table tennis in the ACT and the development of athletes and coaches.
Another recipient is Madeleine Fleming, who is head coach with the Woden Valley swim club. The scholarship is assisting Madeleine to continue towards formal coaching accreditation. Members may have read a little of Madeleine’s story in HerCanberra. Madeleine shared there the significance of how this scholarship will enable her to formalise her achievements as a coach. Madeleine is one of few female
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