Council adopts policy to increase access for all in community sport
Published on 19 June 2024
Mount Alexander Shire Councillors have endorsed a new Fair Access Policy at the Tuesday 18 June Council meeting.
The policy aims to progressively identify and eliminate systemic causes of gender inequality and discrimination in sports policy, programs, communications and services.
The policy is part of the Australia-first Fair Access Policy Roadmap, led by the Victorian Government’s Office for Women in Sport and Recreation in conjunction with VicHealth and Sport and Recreation Victoria.
Over the next three years, Council will work with community asset committees and facility managers to educate them on what fair access means, how the policy will affect them, and how to ensure their community groups and sports infrastructure are safe and accessible for everyone.
Principles from the Fair Access Policy include:
- Community sports infrastructure and environment are genuinely welcoming, safe and inclusive.
- Women and girls, men and boys, gender diverse people, and people with disability will have opportunities to participate in all aspects of community sport and active recreation.
- Women and girls, men and boys, gender diverse people, and people with disability will have equitable access to and use of community sport infrastructure.
- Women and girls, men and boys, gender diverse people, and people with disability should be equitably represented in leadership and governance roles.
- Encourage and support all user groups who access and use community sport infrastructure to understand, adopt and implement access, and use policies that support:
- Gender equity
- Participants with diverse needs
- Overcoming access issues
- Provide support and, where achievable, prioritise access to Council resources to all user groups who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to equitable access and use of allocated community sport infrastructure.
Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Mayor, Councillor Matthew Driscoll, said that policy will lead to some positive changes in our community sports groups.
“Our shire is a very welcoming and inclusive place, but there’s still work to be done, especially when it comes to sport being accessible to everyone,” said Mayor Driscoll.
“Sports and recreation are really important when it comes to health and wellbeing, promoting respect and fair mindedness, and connecting with your community.
“Lots of people continue to face barriers to participation, particularly women and girls, gender diverse people, and people with disability.
“The Fair Access Policy outlines the actions we’ll take to address these barriers, and how we’ll work with the community to make sure sports are accessible to everyone.
“I encourage everyone to have a read through the policy, especially local sporting groups, and get in touch if you have any questions.
“Together we can progress gender equality and eliminate discrimination in community sport.”
The policy aligns with Council’s Gender Equality Action Plan 2021-2025, Council Plan 2021-2025, Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025, and Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023-2027.
Read the Fair Access Policy.
For more information contact Troy Lyons, Council’s Active Communities Team Leader, on 5471 1700 or at info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.