Women in Sport

Ms THOMPSON (Davenport) (14:52): My question is to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. How is the government empowering regional women to participate equally and actively in sport?

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD (Reynell—Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:52): Thank you very much to the member for her question and her ongoing commitment to advancing inclusion and gender equality in sport and beyond. We know that empowering women to participate equally and actively in sport, and to be celebrated for their strength, their skill and talent, is really powerful. It can help to shift attitudes about women and the roles that they can play on and off their particular playing field.

Last week, our government's commitment to elevating the role of women in sport, and using sport's power for really positive change, was further expanded into regional communities through the inaugural regional edition of The Power of Her event series, celebrating and empowering women in sport, being held in Murray Bridge. The event, funded by the state government and Integrated Murraylands Physical Activity Committee, brought together really impactful voices, visionary leaders and innovators for a day of education, connection and growth.

The first Power of Her symposium, held during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, was an enormous success attended by over 1,000 people, inspiring them to connect with sport in their community and empowering them with skills and confidence to advance our collective endeavour towards gender equality. We are ensuring that this message reaches into regional South Australia, with the Murraylands the first destination.

Furthering this whole-of-community conversation absolutely helps to inspire girls and women to know that whether they want to lead, play, officiate, commentate or administer sport, or to take up any other role in our community, they can. Held at the magnificent Bridges Event Centre at the Murray Bridge Racing Club, the 200-strong crowd heard from inspirational women in sport, including Olympian Dr Amber Halliday, Proud 2 Play CEO Christine Granger, and Play Like a Girl Australia founder Holly Bailey.

Attendees were also treated to really inspiring addresses from Kirsty Mead, from The Embrace Collective program, and Eloise Hall, co-founder of Taboo Period Products. What really resonated with me was the impact this event had on those who attended who may not have really understood the significant challenges faced by women in sport and on those who may not have previously realised how sport can help to drive change.

I had a variety of participants come to me to enthusiastically express how they wanted to become champions for change in their space—mayors, club presidents, club members. I really believe this is what The Power of Her is achieving. We are reaching people who would normally not turn their mind to this extraordinary opportunity. This inaugural event will be followed by the Limestone Coast addition this year and a further event being planned for Port Lincoln.

We know that these conversations are only part of the work needed to advance equality in sport. Our state government's $18 million Power of Her grants program, dedicated to investments in female sporting facilities and projects that encourage female participation, will absolutely help to send the message that girls and women are welcome to equally and actively participate in the sport they love. The grant program is now open for applications, and I really look forward to the way this investment will increase the participation of girls and women and see them playing in the facilities they deserve.