Sixteen NSW sporting organisations will share almost $500,000 to deliver 19 projects aimed at increasing participation, leadership and career opportunities for women and girls in sport.
The funding has been awarded through the 2025–26 Play Her Way Innovation Program, part of the NSW Government’s four-year strategy to help more women and girls enter sport and remain involved over the longer term.
The successful projects span participation programs, coaching and leadership development, career pathways and initiatives designed to create safer and more inclusive sporting environments.
Grants support participation and career pathways
Individual grants ranging from $3,000 to $45,000 have been awarded to recognised NSW State Sporting Organisations and State Sporting Organisations for People with Disability.
Smaller grants support career activation projects that introduce women and girls to the range of employment and leadership opportunities available across the sports sector.
Larger grants will fund projects focused on career progression, participation, retention and organisational culture.
Successful organisations may also work with sporting academies and community groups that already support women, girls and under-represented populations.
The funding is intended to help governing bodies trial new approaches that could later be expanded or incorporated into their regular programs.
Digital triathlon community for young women
Triathlon NSW has received $45,000 for Tri Her Way, a women-led digital triathlon club designed for women aged between 16 and 25.
The online model will allow participants to develop skills, access guidance and connect with other young women without being limited by location or conventional club schedules.
Triathlon NSW said the program was designed to address barriers facing women who balance sport with study, work, family and other commitments.
Participants will help shape the digital community and its activities, with the project aiming to offer the benefits of club membership through a more flexible virtual format.
Women-focused rugby development
NSW Rugby Union has been awarded $44,983 for Rugby Her Way.
The participation and development program has been designed by women to support both first-time and returning rugby players.
It will also build the confidence and capabilities of female players and coaches, helping create stronger pathways through different levels of the sport.
The project reflects the program’s broader focus on retaining women after they first become involved, rather than concentrating solely on initial recruitment.
New pathway for girls in motorsport
Motorsport Australia will receive $45,000 for AccelerateHER NSW: A Connected Pathway for Girls in Motorsport.
The project will combine school-based activities, mentoring opportunities and a regional rally school.
It will particularly target girls and young women who are new to motorsport, including participants living in regional communities.
The initiative is designed to make pathways into motorsport more visible and accessible in an industry where female participation has traditionally been lower.
More women supported to become coaches
Volleyball NSW has secured $45,000 for CoachHer, a flexible coach and leadership development program.
The project will provide inclusive and hybrid learning options to help more women complete coaching education and take on leadership positions.
Flexible delivery is intended to reduce practical barriers such as travel, work schedules and caring responsibilities that may prevent women from attending conventional training programs.
The program will focus not only on obtaining coaching qualifications, but also on developing the confidence and networks needed to remain active in coaching.
Internship opportunities in athletics
Athletics NSW has been awarded $5,000 for Her Track, Her Career.
The project will establish a structured internship program giving young women practical experience in the sports industry.
Participants will be exposed to potential careers beyond competing as athletes, including administration, event management, communications and sports development.
The initiative falls within the program’s career activation stream, which aims to make the range of jobs available in sport more visible to young women.
Focus extends beyond playing sport
The funded projects recognise that gender equality in sport involves more than increasing the number of female participants.
The Play Her Way strategy also seeks to increase the representation of women in coaching, administration, leadership and other professional roles.
Projects will therefore address several stages of women’s involvement in sport—from discovering an activity and joining for the first time to developing a career or moving into decision-making positions.
NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said the grants would allow sporting organisations to test new ideas, remove barriers and create more welcoming environments.
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said the projects would give women and girls opportunities not only to participate, but also to progress into coaching and leadership roles.
Projects now move into delivery
The grant recipients have been selected and the funding has been awarded, but the announcement does not mean all 19 projects are already operating.
Each organisation will now move into implementation according to its approved project plan and funding agreement.
The longer-term value of the program will depend on whether the projects can demonstrate stronger participation, retention, leadership and career outcomes for women and girls.
Successful initiatives may provide models that can be adopted by other sporting organisations across NSW.
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