New initiatives providing vital funding to support female participation in sport might be about to turn the tide for women and girls around Australia.

Our latest Giving for Sport report revealed that donations to campaigns benefiting women and girls increased by 71% in FY24, expanding opportunities for women at all levels. With our sights set on a bright and promising future, let's take a look at the history of women in sport, and how this is changing for the better.

Barriers to Sport for Females

In 2023, ASF conducted a comprehensive report on the lives and livelihoods of some of Australia's elite athletes. This revealed some jarring insights across the board, but especially for our female athletes. Running on Empty details discrepancies and the difficulties women face in sports throughout their professional careers.

Financial Hardship

Financial support is just one of the areas our report focused on. On average, 46% of elite athletes, both male and female, earn less than $23,000 each year, placing them below the poverty line.

While many athletes rely on competition prize money to support their endeavours, globally, female athletes are estimated to earn just 1% of what their male counterparts make through sport.

Lack of Mental Health Support

36% of females are said to have experienced a decline in their mental health, which is significantly more than the 17% of affected males. This has contributed to 56% of elite female athletes having considered leaving their sport. In fact, by the age of 14, girls end their participation in sport at twice the rate of boys.

While a portion of this can be attributed to social expectations, lack of investment and poor quality of programs also play a significant role.

Age-Related Decline

In 2022, less than half of women in Australia participated in a sport-related activity at least once per week. Studies show that 46% of girls aged up to 14 partake in a sport. This number drops to just 32% of females aged 15 plus, with an even lower number of just 26% of First Nations women participating.

These may seem like confronting numbers surrounding current issues in women's sport, but positive change is on the horizon for women in Australia.

Looking to the Future

Exercise improves mental health as well as physical health, and it looks like more and more Aussie females will reap these benefits, as we've seen female participation in club sports more than double since 2021.

Participation isn't the only thing on the rise for women in sport, with donations made to ASF campaigns benefiting women and girls up 71% in just one year!

Competing in one of the most popular female sports in Australia, the Volleyroos are just one example of a team that hopes to put their generous donations to good use. From training camps to international competitions, they're hoping their fundraising efforts will help to get them on the right track for a Brisbane 2032 appearance.

Grants

While public donations empower clubs and athletes to shape their funding, advancing the future of women in sport also needs strong government support to drive lasting progress.

Along with various sports grants available in Australia, here are some newly introduced grants designed to support women in sport.

1. Play Our Way Program

Over $200 million will be delegated to more than 120 recipients over the course of three years to fund local initiatives and address barriers to participation in sport among females. This funding is intended to be used towards everything needed to help women and girls stay active, including providing safe and inclusive facilities, as well as equipment.

The overarching aim of the program is to have a lasting impact on recipient communities, continuing long after the funding period has ended.

2. Grants for individual women in sport

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) offers grants and funding to support individuals involved in sport, with a keen focus on improving gender equality in sport.

Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS), in particular, provides an opportunity for women to advance their development through leadership, communications, coaching and organisational governance training, and more.

3. Grants for organisations

Along with individual grants and funding, the ASC and WLIS also support organisations aspiring to increase female representation in sport.

The aim of these grants is to support organisations in developing and implementing crucial policies, practices, and processes, that address systemic and cultural barriers faced by many females in sport. Education and training is another area that these grants fund, ensuring ongoing progress that flows throughout the organisation.

4. Grants for Women in Leadership

It's not just the players who need funding to succeed. To truly have a lasting impact, financial support is required at every level of an organisation or institution. Partaking in leadership workshops is just one example of steps some organisations are taking to encourage and support the involvement of women at a leadership level.

5. Active Women and Girls (Queensland)

The Queensland Government is contributing $15M to the Active Women and Girls Program, with a strategy that's built to uplift and accelerate the sporting opportunities available to females.

This goes from on-field positions to other essential roles like umpiring and team management, covering coaching and officiating accreditation courses, as well as general needs in achieving gender equity in sport across Queensland.

6. Change Our Game Community Activation Grants Program (Victoria)

Community sports clubs in Victoria are set to receive game-changing grants of up to $10,000 to further the opportunities for women to get involved at club and leadership levels.

This is just one part of the Victorian government's $18.8 million commitment to drive inclusivity in sport.

Raising Vital Funds With ASF

At the Australian Sports Foundation, we strive to support all sportspeople and participants equally in achieving their goals. Our studies have revealed a number of reasons why female participation in sports is low, and we believe that now is the time for change. Funding and grants are paramount in enabling females to continue participating in sport, as is fundraising.

If you're wondering how to get donations flowing, fundraising with the ASF is a great place to start.