Promoting access for all in sport

Consultation has concluded

Carisbrook Lady Redback Womens Football Team. Photo credit: The Maryborough District Advertiser

Thank you to all who gave feedback on the Fair Access Policy and This Girl Can.

Fair Access Policy next steps

When the Policy is adopted by Council, our Recreation team will work directly with local sporting clubs and community organisations to provide education around what the Policy will mean for them.

This Girl Can next steps

Feedback will be used to develop a program of activities that meet the needs of our community for This Girl Can later this year.



This Girl Can

We know physical activity and exercise leads to good health and wellbeing, that’s why we want to see as many women, girls and LGBTQI+ women being active as possible.

To support this, we are partnering with Sports Focus, to plan the Victorian Government’s This Girl Can campaign later this year.

This Girl Can is a campaign aims to inspire women to get active – however, wherever and whenever they choose, without being judged.

To help us develop a program of activities that meets the needs of our community – we need your input.

How do I get involved?

We invite you to share your experiences, feelings, challenges and beliefs when it comes to participating in sport by completing the survey below.

Feedback is now closed.

Draft Fair Access Policy

We are wanting feedback on our draft Fair Access Policy that seeks to address known barriers, so everyone in our community has the opportunity to participate in community sport and use community sports infrastructure.

This policy will ensure that women, girls, men and boys, gender diverse people and people with disability can fully participate in and enjoy the benefits of community sport, with fair opportunity and equitable access to their local facilities.

The policy intends to establish the expectation that gender equality is considered and prioritised in all current and future planning, policy, service delivery and practice as they relate to community sports infrastructure.

Your insights and experiences are invaluable as we strive to ensure equal opportunities and access for everyone within our community.

How do I get involved?

We are inviting the community to provide feedback on the draft Fair Access Policy.

The purpose of this first round of community engagement on the Draft Fair Access Policy is to raise awareness.

For many, this will be the first time you have heard about the Victorian Government’s Fair Access Policy.

Next steps

When the Policy is adopted by Council in August, our Recreation team will work directly with local sporting clubs and community organisations to provide education around what the Policy will mean for them.

Feedback is now closed.

Thank you to all who gave feedback on the Fair Access Policy and This Girl Can.

Fair Access Policy next steps

When the Policy is adopted by Council, our Recreation team will work directly with local sporting clubs and community organisations to provide education around what the Policy will mean for them.

This Girl Can next steps

Feedback will be used to develop a program of activities that meet the needs of our community for This Girl Can later this year.



This Girl Can

We know physical activity and exercise leads to good health and wellbeing, that’s why we want to see as many women, girls and LGBTQI+ women being active as possible.

To support this, we are partnering with Sports Focus, to plan the Victorian Government’s This Girl Can campaign later this year.

This Girl Can is a campaign aims to inspire women to get active – however, wherever and whenever they choose, without being judged.

To help us develop a program of activities that meets the needs of our community – we need your input.

How do I get involved?

We invite you to share your experiences, feelings, challenges and beliefs when it comes to participating in sport by completing the survey below.

Feedback is now closed.

Draft Fair Access Policy

We are wanting feedback on our draft Fair Access Policy that seeks to address known barriers, so everyone in our community has the opportunity to participate in community sport and use community sports infrastructure.

This policy will ensure that women, girls, men and boys, gender diverse people and people with disability can fully participate in and enjoy the benefits of community sport, with fair opportunity and equitable access to their local facilities.

The policy intends to establish the expectation that gender equality is considered and prioritised in all current and future planning, policy, service delivery and practice as they relate to community sports infrastructure.

Your insights and experiences are invaluable as we strive to ensure equal opportunities and access for everyone within our community.

How do I get involved?

We are inviting the community to provide feedback on the draft Fair Access Policy.

The purpose of this first round of community engagement on the Draft Fair Access Policy is to raise awareness.

For many, this will be the first time you have heard about the Victorian Government’s Fair Access Policy.

Next steps

When the Policy is adopted by Council in August, our Recreation team will work directly with local sporting clubs and community organisations to provide education around what the Policy will mean for them.

Feedback is now closed.

Consultation has concluded

  • Fair Access Policy - more information

    The new policy is in response to the Fair Access Policy Roadmap, released by the Office for Women in Sport in partnership with Sport and Recreation Victoria and VicHealth, and aims to develop a state-wide foundation to improve the access to, and use of, community sports infrastructure for women, girls and others.

    From July 1, 2024, all Victorian councils will need to have a Fair Access Policy in place to be considered eligible to receive infrastructure funding.

    This policy will ensure that women, girls and others can fully participate in and enjoy the benefits of community sport, with fair opportunity and equitable access to their local facilities.

    The Fair Access Policy is defined by six principles as developed by the Victorian Government.

    1. Community sports infrastructure and environments are genuinely welcoming, safe, and inclusive.
    2. Women and girls can fully participate in all aspects of community sport and active recreation, including as a player, coach, administrator, official, volunteer and spectator.
    3. Women and girls will have equitable access to and use community infrastructure.
    4. Women and girls should be equitably represented in leadership and governance roles.
    5. Encourage and support all user groups who access and use community sport infrastructure to understand, adopt and implement gender equitable access and use principles.
    6. Prioritise access, use and support to all user groups who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to gender equitable access and use of allocated community sport infrastructure.

    The policy will establish our commitment that gender equality be considered and prioritised in all current and future Council planning, policy, service delivery, facility allocations and practice as they relate to community sports infrastructure.