A new Malinauskas Labor Government grant program which aims to advance change and build a legacy for girls’ and women’s sport in South Australia is now open for applications.
Funding of $2.8 million is available through the first round of The Power of Her – Infrastructure and Participation Program (IPP), dedicated to female sporting facilities, improvements, programs and projects that grow female participation.
The State Government has committed $18 million over the next three years to help empower SA girls and women to pursue the sport they love.
The grant program was announced amid the success of the Commbank Matildas at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the funding round opens as the Matildas confirm they will play the Adelaide Oval for the first time in May.
$10 million of the IPP funding will be quarantined for football. Applicants will need a funding partner to contribute a minimum of 50 per cent, meaning at least another $10 million will be unlocked.
This is in addition to more than $120 million invested into football infrastructure, programs and development in South Australia over the last decade by the State Government.
Football SA expects girls’ and women’s participation to grow by 33 percent over the next three years on the back of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Matildas’ efforts.
By providing safe and accessible spaces, programs and equipment that foster female sporting participation, we will aim to meet this growth in participation and provide a place for girls and women who want to be active.
Currently only one in four SA children 12 and under, and 14 per cent of those aged 13 to 17, are meeting national activity guidelines.
This initiative tackles physical activity and builds on the State Government’s efforts to address inequality, following on from last year’s successful The Power of Her Women in Leadership Symposium, other FIFA Women’s World Cup legacy initiatives and the re-establishment of the Women in Sport Taskforce.
Applications for the IPP close midday on Wednesday 3 April 2024. For more information on the application process and eligibility, visit orsr.sa.gov.au
As put by Peter Malinauskas
The Matildas’ World Cup efforts were inspirational for a generation of girls and boys, and will see many more girls take up football.
We’re determined not to let the moment go to waste.
By making these investments in infrastructure, programs and projects that facilitate greater participation of girls and women, we can ensure the World Cup leaves a legacy for generations to come.
This will deliver a social, health and community dividend and result in a more equal society.
As put by Katrine Hildyard
Seeing some of the best athletes in the world being celebrated through the FIFA Women’s World Cup being celebrated for their strength, skill and talent was powerful. It inspired girls and women to get active, to chase their highest sporting dreams and to know that whatever role they wanted to take on, inside or outside of sport, they could.
The magnificent Matildas inspired the nation. This grant program keeps this momentum going by responding to the growing desire for more girls and women to take to the pitch.
The Malinauskas Labor Government is utterly serious about backing women in sport and through this new grant program, we will create a lasting legacy that helps advance gender equality and helps girls and women know that they are welcome to get involved in their chosen sport in whichever way they choose.
Supporting and empowering girls and women in sport means ensuring they have the facilities they deserve. The upgrade and development of sporting facilities, programs, and equipment is exceedingly important to ensure that girls and women of all abilities can participate and I am so proud that this grant program will help deliver them.
We’ll be working alongside State Sporting Organisations, associations, Councils, local clubs and schools to ensure female friendly initiatives that meet the driving needs of South Australian women and girls are funded and provide greater opportunity for all South Australian girls and women to take up or deepen their participation in their chosen sport.
As put by Michael Carter, Chief Executive Officer, Football SA
Initiatives that support the improvement of spaces to play for our rapidly growing football community are to be applauded.
Football SA is thankful of the Malinauskas Government’s support of our Women’s World Cup legacy plan off the back of one of the most successful sporting events to be held in Australia in recent history.
The funding announcement to support women and girls’ infrastructure will have a profound impact on future participants in sport.
