More women are seeing a future for themselves in sport, central Victorian leaders believe, following a groundswell of support for gender equality in traditionally male dominated codes.

But there is more to be done.  

Bendigo Thunder coach Cherie O’Neill said the recent enthusiasm for women’s AFL, especially at an elite level, had encouraged more aspiring players to give it a go.

“A lot of women that wanted to play that haven’t had a chance to play are now seeing a pathway where they can,” she said. 

“In the past, there has been no pathway once they get over 18.

“The youth girls now can see a future in their sport. They want to compete and they want to take their sport to that level.”

She said there had also been an increase in the number of women aged in their 20s and 30s who were keen to get involved. 

But not all people who enjoy being active want to play sport competitively – something Sports Focus recognised when they created Miss Me-Time.

The series of free sessions is intended to encourage women of all ages to get active for enjoyment’s sake.

Activities are varied and suitable for a range of fitness levels, and incorporate sports that might not be considered mainstream. 

“To see more casual opportunities, and more pay-as-you-go systems, would be ideal going forward,” Natalie Lake, of Sports Focus, said. 

Margot Foster - chair of Victoria’s peak sports body, Vicsport – said it was important the success of women’s competitions in football, cricket, soccer and netball was matched by the participation and recognition of women in all other sports. 

“In my teens I wanted to be a surf life saver and compete in the ski, the swim and the board but it was a no-go for women and girls, just like footy has been until now,” she said. 

“At the time, the only place for women was the surf club women’s auxiliary committee, looking after the needs of the chaps.”

Ms Foster went on to become an Olympic bronze medallist in rowing, which only became a possibility for women in 1976.

“Media coverage, including significant social media, of these exciting developments in women’s sport has provided young people with a personal connection to the expanding opportunities in sport and a way of entering the conversation, and the game,” she said. 

Support for gender equality in sport is reflected in state government policy and at a grassroots level. 

Last week, Victorian Minister for Women Fiona Richardson and Minister for Sport John Eren announced a $550,000 investment in promoting gender equality in grassroots sporting clubs. 

Two weeks prior, grants opened for the state government’s multicultural sports fund. 

The programs tie into an inquiry into women and girls in sport and active recreation; a campaign for gender equality in sport, called Change our Game; and the Victorian Gender Equality Strategy. 

Central Victorian football netball clubs and fire brigades have also been challenged to take part in a program aimed at tackling gender inequality, called the Rural Challenge. 

Calls to make sporting facilities more female friendly have been echoed by central Victorian sportswomen, who have identified shortcomings in venues such as the Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo. 

With twice as many men as women involved in sport by their 30s and 40s, and a steep decline in women’s participation in sport in their late teens and young adult years, Ms Foster said there was a need to provide omen and girls with shining examples of what they could be and what they might aspire to be or do.

“With women and girls joining grassroots clubs at record numbers, we’re doing everything we can to ensure they have the same opportunities as their male counterparts,” Mr Eren said. 

Ms Richardson said sport was an important vehicle for change.

“It’s time Victoria became the sporting capital of Australia for women as well as men,” she said. 

Speaking about removing barriers to sports participation, Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott said sport was something Victoria did well, but there was still room to improve. 

“Sometimes the fear of not being welcomed can make the difference between someone putting up their hand to join the local footy club or not,” he said.