Thank you to community members who engaged on our first-ever Fair Access Policy and Action Plan.

We engaged with the community over a four-week period and sought feedback on gender equity in community sport as well as on the proposed Policy and Action Plan.

Council endorsed the proposed Policy and Action Plan at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 3 September.

The engagement findings have been used to inform Council officers to finalise the Policy and Action Plan.

This includes accurately reflecting on whether the community’s feedback is already captured within the Policy and Action Plan and making further adjustments or changes within the documents as necessary.

The feedback received across engagement methods was broadly supportive, with much of the feedback aligning with the proposed Policy and Action Plan.

Feedback also identified concerns on the barriers that could hinder the implementation of the Policy and Action Plan. Availability, quality and allocation of sporting grounds and facilities in Glen Eira was frequently noted as a challenge. Also noted as challenges where the availability of resources and volunteers in community sporting clubs.

In response to these concerns, we have adjusted the Action Plan to include the following Council action under Principle 3 — Women and girls will have equitable access to and use of community sport infrastructure:

• Action 3.4: Continue to advocate for improved public access to Caulfield Racecourse Reserve and investigate opportunities for access to school sites for community sport allocations.

The Fair Access Policy and Action Plan Engagement Summary Report below, details the engagement data and findings in full.

What actions do you think will help level up the playing field for women and girls?

If you could change one thing in community sport what would it be?

We welcome your feedback to help us progress our work on fair access across our sporting infrastructure.

Community sport and active recreation needs to be safe, accessible, and inclusive — for everyone — from players, coaches, and administrators to volunteers, spectators and officials.

That’s why we’re developing our first-ever draft Fair Access Policy and Action Plan, to support more equal access to community sport and active recreation, especially for women and girls.

Fair access recognises the importance of creating a level playing field to help increase participation of women and girls and other underrepresented groups in sports and recreation.