With girls and women significantly less active than boys and men in Ballarat, council has set out a strategy to deal with issues identified that may be curtailing female participation in sport and physical activity.

As part of the strategy, four ambassadors were named to focus on the pillars of the plan to improve activity levels in local women – participation, culture and environment, infrastructure and media.

Federation University’s director of Sport and Recreation Spatial research Associate Professor Rochelle Eime will help drive participation, while AFL Goldfields commission board member Sue Brown will advocate for changes to culture and environment through initiatives to support women and girls in leadership and governance roles, positive female role models, club education, development and volunteer support.

Ballarat Badminton stadium manager and former Olympian Rhonda Cator will champion for equitable access to suitable facilities and infrastructure to support increased participation, and improving the visibility of women’s sports and positive messaging in the media will be a goal for 3BA sales manager Bryley Murrell.

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“With more and more women and girls choosing to participate in sport, particularly sports often previously dominated by males, it’s important we provide adequate infrastructure, opportunity and initiatives,” said Ballarat mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh. 

“This strategy seeks to create opportunities for female participation in sport, so women and girls have equitable opportunities to participate in the sporting environment.”

The four-year strategy sets out an action plan for local sporting clubs, council facilities, organisations and research.

AFLW footballers Kaitlyn Ashmore and Katie Brennan were in Ballarat for the campaign launch, encouraging more girls and women to try new sports and activities to improve their health.