QSPORT CONFERENCE 2023

Panel on Strategies to Welcome, Engage and Retain Women and Girls in Sport

2023 continues to be the year of many firsts and on 25 May 2023 I spoke on my first in person panel at the QSport Conference on a subject close to my heart- Strategies to Welcome, Engage and Retain Women and Girls in Sport. It was amazing to share stage with fellow panellists Adele Pavlidis and Courtney Fewquandie and discuss initiatives and challenges for women and girls in the current sporting landscape.

With full attendance and many tuning in live online, the one-day conference held in Brisbane was nothing short of outstanding. Tim Klar CEO QSport and his team truly managed to engage the audience, with a well thought out program and diversity in speakers, . To all speakers and panellists thank you for sharing your expertise and the volume of work everyone continues to do. Comprising of Olympians, Para-Olympians, industry experts and leaders, the QSport Conference provided a wonderful opportunity for people to come together, collaborate and share ideas. The conference was hosted at a perfect time setting the pace for discussions ahead of the next decade, where Australia is set to host 16 mega-events.

Key Highlights on Discussions:

1.    Inclusion – A need for the industry to be truly inclusive and build accessible spaces for every person to feel welcomed irrespective of gender, race, culture and ability.

 2.   Collaboration– Organisations need to work together to share best practices.  Note that evidence from a global benchmarking exercise identified countries like the United Kingdom, France and Norway have established a national approach to gender and sport across the levels of government. Findings indicate a coordinated approach create stronger outcomes. Read more about it in the National Policy Framework for Women and Girls

3.   Sustainability – Refining sustainability strategies to achieve climate positive Games in 2032

4.   Volunteers– Forecasts from the Australian Sports Commission indicate that an estimated 130,000 volunteers will be needed between now and Brisbane 2032. If you want to know more about the plan for Volunteers in sport read the Sport Volunteer Coalition Action Plan

5.   Digital Era–  The focus on sport tech, digital trends and a need for the industry to develop digital solutions and more efficient ways of working. One interesting point that got the audience engaged was the growth of ESports. If you want to know more read more HERE 

 6.   The Question – Kieren Perkins OAM, CEO Australian Sports Commission left us all with one thought provoking question on

 “What does a perfect business case look like for sporting organisations to ensure that federal funding in sport is guaranteed for years to come?

 7.   Youth: Having a youth panel was key in ensuring that the discussions we have and work we do today continues to be relevant and sustainable for generations. 

With a focus on collaborating as an industry, the QSport Conference has set the pace. Look forward to sharing and strengthening our network as we work together to leave a legacy of inclusion, sustainability and development !