Australia offers training grants for women in sport

The Australian Government through the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Government Office for Women is inviting applications from women at Australian club level to apply for the 2007/08 Sport Leadership Grants for Women. One aim of the grants program is to provide women with an opportunity to further their education and training in areas of sport leadership which can benefit the growth and development of their sporting club.

The grants cover five key categories: women in general sport leadership; High Performance coaching and officiating; women in disability sport; indigenous women; and women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Each category includes coaching, officiating, management (including administration) and governance (board and committees).

Training for individuals includes Microsoft Excel training to co-ordinate competition draws; Level 1 coaching certificate; developing and managing effective volunteer programs; and website development course; and for organisations includes management/administration courses or governance workshops to develop the skills of volunteer committee members; recruiting, training and accrediting junior and senior female players as umpires and coaches; advancing the clubs level 1 female coaches to level 2 accreditation; providing level 1 coaching course for women who have expressed interest in taking on coaching or assisting coaching roles; and media education course for women

The Program provides successful applicants with a one-off grant of up to A$5,000 for individuals and up to A$10,000 for incorporated organisations. Applications for the grants close on Friday 29 June 2007. For grant application forms and guidelines please go to: http://www.ausport.gov.au/women/grants.asp.