The document discusses WomenSport & Recreation NSW's (WRNSW) partnership initiative with local governments to improve access to and participation in sport and recreation by women and girls. WRNSW conducted research with councils and found that only 14% of facility bookings were for women's groups. They have met with several councils and seen some successes in improving strategies and infrastructure to promote gender equity. However, more work is still needed to better align state, regional and council plans and ensure equity targets are met.

1. Linking with Local Government
Amanda Spalding
Vice-President

2. Role of Local Government
Womensport & Recreation NSW
• Councils own the majority of sport and recreation facilities
• Influence and often determine who uses them (increasing
demand makes equity a lower priority?)
•Control how they are managed
•Make land use planning decisions about passive
And active open space and how to accommodate high density
living
• They have a BIG part to play and should be more active!

3. THE INTEGRATED PLANNING & REPORTING FRAMEWORK
Resourcing
strategy
- Workforce Plan
- Long-Term Financial Plan
- Asset Management
Resourcing
strategy
- Workforce Plan
- Long-Term Financial Plan
- Asset Management
Annual ReportAnnual Report
Operational PlanOperational Plan
Delivery Program
4 years
Delivery Program
4 years
PerpetualPerpetual
monitoring andmonitoring and
reviewreview
Community Strategic Plan
10 years+
Community Strategic Plan
10 years+
CommunityCommunity
EngagementEngagement
Womensport & Recreation NSW

4. Womensport & Recreation NSW
NSW
State Plan
NSW
State Plan
Metro StrategyMetro Strategy
Regional PlansRegional Plans
Council Community
Strategic Plans
Council Community
Strategic Plans
Regional
Planning
Strategies
Regional
Planning
Strategies
There should be a two-way exchange between state, regional and
council planning
Links with State planning

5. Local and State Government
Partnering Initiative - Objectives
• Improve access, participation and equity for women and girls
through sport and recreation
Where are we now?
• Research is a major part of the project
• Asking Councils for their information about gender
participation rates male/female
• One Sydney Metropolitan Council’s bookings data suggests
bookings for women and girls only 14% of total usage
• Need to improve alignment of objectives between State and
local government
Womensport & Recreation NSW

6. 166 ‘Councils’ in NSW
Womensport & Recreation NSW

7. Where are we now?
Group Active Objectives Passive Objectives
35 Councils in Group 1 25: Take an active role in
improving the health and
well being of the
community.
71% Active
One Council – Blacktown –
Sporting City Outcomes
10: See sport and
recreation as facilities and
asset management
29% Passive
38 Councils in Group 2 28: Take an active role in
improving the health and
well being of the
community.
74% Active
10: See sport and
recreation as facilities and
asset management
26% Passive
Womensport & Recreation NSW

8. What have we achieved?
Research into all 73 Councils in Groups 1 and 2
• Research Council Community Strategic Plans
• Letter to all group 1 and 2 councils requesting data
on gender participation rates and seeking partners
for Get Active Events
Received replies from several – good and bad
e.g. I have no information regarding split in availability
of sporting infrastructure to individual sexes. I am
happy to advise I do not believe there are any
discriminatory barriers to prevent ladies from
participating in sport.
Womensport & Recreation NSW

9. Achievements
• Met with 10 councils face to face
• Attended several council community strategic planning
meetings
• South Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils – 16
Councils – population of 1.2 million has established a
sport and recreation network to address equity, and
supply and demand
Womensport & Recreation NSW

10. Achievements
• WRNSW presented to sporting associations aligned with
Warringah Council
• Invited to present to Marrickville sporting associations in
August
• Invited to present to Rockdale Sport and Recreation Working
Party
• WRNSW is building strong working relationships with SSO’s to
deliver Get Active Events and improve development pathways
into sport and recreation.
• Continue to work closely with the NSW Sports Federation to
develop actions to achieve objectives.
Womensport & Recreation NSW

11. Where have we made a difference so
far?
• Pittwater – ‘we have now included additional
strategies as a result of your letter to ensure greater
equity, access and participation in sport in Pittwater
for women and girls’.
• Warringah – building facility around pool for
mountain biking at beginners’ level to encourage
women in a male dominated sport.
• Rockdale – made changes to Integrated Planning and
Reporting Framework to improve participation
outcomes to under represented groups
Womensport & Recreation NSW

12. What still needs to be done?
Alignment
Regional Action PlansRegional Action Plans
NSW State PlanNSW State Plan
Council Community
Strategic
Plans
Council Community
Strategic
Plans
Regional Sporting
Associations and Clubs
Regional Sporting
Associations and Clubs
Womensport NSWWomensport NSW
State Sporting
Organisations
Equity Results on the Ground

13. What still needs to be done?
• Research and contact Councils in Group 3 – 93
Councils 56%
• Campaign for best practice sporting equity – increase
momentum
• Girls Get Active framework take up by Councils
• Establish best practice sports amenities buildings to
welcome all ages, genders and CALD communities –
prerequisite to funding
• Work with NSW Sports Federation to set and pursue
equity objectives through State, regional sporting
associations and sporting clubs
Womensport & Recreation NSW

14. Womensport & Recreation NSWWomensport & Recreation NSW
Increasing demands and standards for sports
amenity buildings

15. Womensport & Recreation NSW

16. Womensport & Recreation NSW
About Us
WRNSW is the only organisation of its type in NSW. We are a state wide
advocacy helping to promote positive perceptions of women and girls in
sport and drive both profile and participation. WRNSW provides many
opportunities for sporting organisations and individuals, who believe in
equity for all women.
Our key objectives are:
To help girls be motivated to start or continue with sport by delivering
Girls Get Active Events.
•To help Sporting organisations deliver metropolitan and regional
coaching programs to school girls and create future pathways.
To work with State Sport Organisations to help more women step up to
senior executive roles and to increase the number of women on our
state’s sporting boards.
To work with Councils in a Partnerships for Strategic Planning Project to
increase participation, awareness and access for Women in Sport and
Recreation.

17. Contact Us
• Office – 02 8116 9734
• President@womensportnsw.com.au
• Vicepresident@womensportnsw.com.au
• 0412 015 881
• Office@womensportnsw.com.au
• www.womensportnsw.com.au
Womensport & Recreation NSW