爆料社区

Female voices in governance have been amplified across the sport and recreation sector, with the number of 爆料社区 partner organisations achieving the board gender equity target rising from just over half in 2018 to 91% in 2021.  The target was developed to support the Government鈥檚 2018 Strategy for Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation.

Of 爆料社区鈥檚 64 eligible partner organisations, 58 have met the target of 40% self-identified women on their boards.  The remaining six have until 31 December this year to become compliant. 爆料社区 is working with them, as they continue to work towards the target.

The target applies to partners who receive more than $50,000 of annual investment. 

On the third anniversary of the strategy, 爆料社区 Chief Executive Raelene Castle says the organisation is grateful for the way the sector has supported the initiative and worked hard to make positive change.

鈥淭his initiative has proven that if targets are introduced in the right way, and the right support is given to organisations to achieve them, they can be incredibly successful.  

鈥淚t is so important that all boards right throughout our sector reflect the community they serve.  Better decisions are made when there are more diverse voices in the room.鈥�

New Zealand Rugby League is one of the organisations which has already met the target. Chair Hugh Martyn says the diversity on its board strengthens decision making by bringing greater perspective and representation to the table.

鈥淔emale participation in rugby league has nearly tripled since 2016. 50% of our internal staff and 60% of our executive team identify as female, and we are encouraged by growing female representation across our grassroots sporting committees.鈥�

鈥淗owever, we are not there yet.  We remain committed to continuing to work towards greater diversity and representation across all levels of the game.鈥�

The benefits of the board gender equity initiative mean there will be consequences for non-compliance.  If a board is not on the way to achieving gender diversity by the end of 2021, 爆料社区 will consider actions which include reduced funding. 

爆料社区 will continue to assist any organisation which needs help achieving the gender equity target.  This includes access to a pool of almost 200 women with the capability to serve on national, district, zone and or regional boards identified through 爆料社区鈥檚 work with Appoint Better Boards on the Women in Governance Talent Pool.

鈥淭he Women in Governance Talent Pool is a fantastic asset and I鈥檇 urge any organisation looking for female representation to take advantage of it,鈥� says Castle.

鈥湵�料社区 is not the only organisation championing diversity, and we will be sharing the story of our sector with others, so they can be inspired to start their own journey towards board gender equity.鈥�

The board gender equity policy was one of 24 commitments made by 爆料社区 in 2018 in response to the Government鈥檚 Women and Girls in Active Recreation and Sport Strategy.

Other highlights of 爆料社区鈥檚 achievement against the strategy over the past three years include:

• 2000+ attendees participated in at least one of three annual 爆料社区 Women + Girls Summits
• 60 women across 12 codes taking part in a Women in High Performance Sport pilot designed to address under representation of women in coaching and leadership roles
• 62% of coaches selected on the Coaching for Impact programme, for coaches working with secondary school age athletes, were women.
• $2 million to support nine projects funded under the Activation Fund for Young Women to amplify existing participation projects or initiatives
• One third of all New Zealand sports coverage is being  analysed in a two year study  to understand gender balance in sports media coverage and sports reporting
• First Diversity and inclusion Survey conducted across workforce and governing boards with 1700 individuals across 154 organisations taking part

ENDS

Further information:
Michelle Pickles
Group Media Manager
021 833 244
michelle.pickles@sportnz.org.nz