Highly experienced and well-credentialed sports administrator Sarah Styles has been appointed as Director of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation in Victoria.
Ms Styles is a skilled and respected sports leader and champion for women and girls in sport and will take up her new role on 3 May 2021.
She brings a wealth of experience to the position, with her background including roles as an investment banker, and business owner.
Ms Styles is best known for her work with Cricket Australia, where she led a range of initiatives to increase women and girls’ involvement and inclusion in cricket as the organisation’s inaugural Head of Female Engagement.
This leadership culminated in the historic ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Final at the MCG on International Women’s Day last year, where 86,174 fans saw Australia defeat India to secure the title.
Most recently she worked as a strategic advisor to Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport on its ‘Women Leading Sport’ initiative, which aims to significantly increase the representation and success of women in leadership positions in Australian sport.
She is also a Director of Gender Equity Victoria, Victoria’s peak advocacy body for gender equity, women’s health and the prevention of violence against women.
Ms Styles succeeds Dr Bridie O’Donnell, who was the inaugural Director of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation when it was established by the Andrews Labor Government in 2017.
The Office and its Change Our Game initiative provides a range of grant and funding programs to support women and girls across all levels of sport and recreation in Victoria.
The Office for Women in Sport and Recreation has also led a world-first board quota policy requiring sport and active recreation organisations funded by Sport and Recreation Victoria and the Victorian Government to comply with the mandatory minimum 40 per cent women on boards quota.
As stated by Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence
“I’m delighted to announce that Sarah Styles will head up this critical office – she understands how sport works, and the critical role that business plays in supporting sport and driving change.”
“Her achievements show what is possible in sport and active recreation as a whole, and I look forward to working with her to open those doors for women and girls of all ages, all abilities, and from all walks of life.
“I thank Dr Bridie O’Donnell for her leadership over the past few years. She has helped smash gender stereotypes and deliver opportunities for Victorian women – we wouldn’t be where we are today without her tireless work.”
