Sport Integrity Australia CEO David Sharpe calls for more women in leadership roles in sport
Sport Integrity Australia CEO David Sharpe said more needs to be done to identify, develop and promote women to leadership roles in Australian sport, including the continuation of vital support programs.
Mr Sharpe has expressed concern over the lack of women in senior leadership roles in Australian sport.
“More needs to be done to develop and promote women to leadership roles in sport and ensure they are supported.” Mr Sharpe said.
“At the moment the number of women in these roles in Australian sport is unacceptably low.”
Mr Sharpe said his agency is invested in promoting equality in Australian sport and is working to ensure there is gender parity in the leadership within Sport Integrity Australia.
“Sport Integrity Australia commenced on 1 July 2020 and the new executive team has a 50% gender balance. Along with this around 46% of our senior leadership are women leaders. Those numbers still need to improve, and we are committed to that. We have a number of development initiatives in place to address this.”
“I have been fortunate in my career to benefit from many development opportunities, which included mentorships, and it is essential that we take steps to ensure that those same opportunities are available to everyone.”
Of the 68 funded National Sporting Organisations less than 13% have a female CEO and only 26% have a female Chair.
Mr Sharpe said the statistics highlight the need for continual commitment and funding of programs such as Sport Australia’s Women Leaders in Sport program.
“I was honoured to be invited to participate in this program and gained a lot of valuable insights from the calibre of people taking part; it is vital that this program continues.”
“I want to see greater gender equality across the Australian sporting landscape and without programs such as Women Leaders in Sport this is all the more challenging.”
