Fair Access
What is Fair Access?
Sport and active recreation are integral to life on the Mornington Peninsula. The Shire is committed to providing access to and use of sport opportunities that foster connections and participation across generations, backgrounds, genders, identities, and abilities.
In response to the Victorian Fair Access Policy Roadmap, led by the Office for Women in Sport & Recreation (OWSR), Mornington Peninsula Shire is taking proactive steps to improve access to community sport infrastructure for women and girls. This initiative aligns with the Gender Equality Act 2020 and aims to dismantle systemic barriers in sports participation.
Shire's Fair Access Action Plan
We are in the process of developing our Fair Access Action Plan 2024-2028, which will aim to address the barriers women and girls face in accessing community sports infrastructure. This plan will enhance our ability to identify and eliminate systemic gender inequalities in policy-making, program development, communications, and service delivery related to sports infrastructure.
Our goal is to level the playing field both on and off the field, recognizing that sports clubs play a crucial role in providing avenues for activity. We invite you to join us in this journey towards fair access and gender equity in sports on the Mornington Peninsula. Together, we can work towards ensuring everyone experiences the joy, passion, health, and wellbeing benefits of being part of sport and active recreation. As we develop this Action Plan, we welcome input and collaboration from our community to create a more inclusive sporting environment for all.
Gender Inclusive Sports Club Toolkit
The Mornington Peninsula Shire Gender Inclusive Sports Club Toolkit is a comprehensive resource designed to help local sporting clubs create more welcoming and inclusive environments for women and girls. This toolkit provides clubs with a self-assessment tool to evaluate their current practices across six key areas: club information, leadership, club culture, membership and engagement, volunteers and employment, and facilities. By completing the self-assessment, clubs can identify their strengths and areas for improvement in gender inclusion. The toolkit also includes case studies of successful local initiatives, an action plan template, and supportive resources to guide clubs in implementing positive changes. Overall, this toolkit aims to increase female participation in sports, promote gender equality in leadership roles, and foster a more inclusive sporting culture within the Mornington Peninsula community.
Gender Inclusive Sports Club Toolkit (PDF)(PDF, 2MB)
'This Girl Can' Campaign
The This Girl Can Week organized by VicHealth, ran from November 10 to November 17 2024. This campaign aims to celebrate and encourage women and girls to engage in physical activity and sports, promoting a message of inclusivity and empowerment. The initiative focuses on breaking down barriers that prevent women from participating in sports, such as fear of judgment and lack of confidence, by fostering a supportive community environment.
We’re thrilled to announce the winners of our 2024 This Girl Can photo competition.
- First place: Tilly B - bike
- Second place: Ava H - surfing
- Third place: Willow - playing footy
Join us in celebrating their incredible achievements! Thank you to everyone who participated—you’re all an inspiration!
Stay tuned for more details for the upcoming 2025 This Girl Can initiatives.
16 Days of Activism
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, takes place from Monday November 25 to Tuesday December 10. We are encouraging clubs to organise a "Respect Round" during this period. This is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about gender-based violence and promote respect and inclusivity within our sporting communities.
Here’s how you can get involved:
Organising a "Respect Round"
- Wear Orange: Encourage all players, coaches, and supporters to wear orange during your designated match. This colour symbolizes the fight against violence and promotes awareness.
- Raise Awareness: Use this occasion to share messages about respect and inclusivity. Shire will provide a template speech that you can use or adapt for your announcements before the match.
- Promote your efforts: Share your participation on Shire's social media platforms using hashtags #16Days, #mornpenforequality and #16DaysOfActivism to amplify our collective message.
See the 16 Days Toolkit for more information and resources 16 Days of Activism Toolkit 2024 | Respect Victoria.
Your participation in this initiative will not only help raise awareness but will also foster a culture of respect within your club and the wider community. Together, we can make a significant impact during these 16 Days of Activism.
For more information on how the Shire is helping the community to get involved with 16 Days of Activism please click here: 16 Days of Activism - Mornington Peninsula Shire
SRV Safe and Inclusive Sport Toolkit
The Safe and Inclusive Sport: Preventing gender-based violence toolkit, developed by Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV), is a comprehensive resource designed to help sporting organizations create safer and more inclusive environments. This toolkit provides practical guidance and strategies for preventing gender-based violence in sports settings. It covers key areas such as policy development, education and training, reporting mechanisms, and cultural change. The toolkit aims to empower sports clubs and associations to take proactive steps in addressing and preventing gender-based violence, fostering a culture of respect and equality. By implementing the recommendations and best practices outlined in this resource, sporting organizations can work towards creating safer spaces for all participants, regardless of gender, and contribute to broader societal efforts to combat gender-based violence.
SRV Club Gender Audit and Gender Equity Action Plan Template PDF(PDF, 451KB)
SRV Club Gender Audit and Gender Equity Action Plan Template (Accessible Word version)(DOCX, 93KB)