In 2022 the VAFA entered into a partnership with Relationships Australia Victoria to deliver education and support to VAFA committees and players in areas of gender equity and inclusive environments through the ‘Healthy Clubs, Healthy Relationships’ program. Recently the initial session’s of the ‘Healthy Clubs, Healthy Relationships’ program kicked off with Old Scotch Football Club and Old Ivanhoe Football Club.
The Healthy Club, Healthy Relationships program is funded through the Victorian Government and is designed to promote gender equality in sporting clubs. The program involves clubs participating in two workshops focusing on healthy relationships, gender equality, resilience building and bystander action. The program works closely with club committees on developing sustainable action to support clubs deliver actions across culture, recruitment, participation, leadership and facilities that will help to improve gender equality.
When asked about the impact of the initial workshop Old Ivanhoe’s Football Operations Manager, Brett Jenson said that “talking about how clubs can be more inclusive and gender equitable is really important and that the committee and playing group got a lot out of it (the first workshop)”.
Both Old Scotch and Old Ivanhoe will look to complete a second session of the program in August.
The ‘Healthy Clubs, Healthy Relationships’ program is FREE to all VAFA clubs and can be delivered in a manner that is most suitable to clubs. An information session about the program will be held on July 24th from 530-6pm (online), clubs can register here.
If your club is looking to make sustainable and considered steps to ensuring gender equality then please register for the information session or reach out to VAFA Clubs & Community Manager, Sean Walker.
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