VU creates career pathways for young women in sport

Some of the biggest names in sport will gather at Victoria University’s (VU) Footscray Park campus this month for the annual Careers for Young Women in Sport (PDF, 546 KB) forum.

This year’s overarching theme is breaking down the barriers that prevent girls and young women from engaging with sport; from participation to building careers within the industry.

As a global leader in sport education, VU is committed to providing students with an innovative curriculum, along with supporting research that positively impacts industry and community.

Keynote speakers include sporting advocate and philanthropist Susan Alberti AC, broadcaster and Diversity and Inclusion leader Rana Hussain, author and the Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence Carol Fox and VU alumna Madeline Bosanko, a former VU student now working as a Club Development Officer with Tennis Victoria.

Over 180 young women from around Melbourne will take part in masterclasses, tours and have access to 13 VU alumna who have forged diverse careers across the sporting industry.

Susan, known nationally for her unwavering support for Australian Football League’s AFLW competition, says the forum will not only advance careers for girls and young women, but help shape the future of sport.

“A decade ago, the idea of women competing at the highest level of the AFL was just a dream. Today it is a reality and some of the best administrators of our great game just happen to be women too! But there is no point pursuing a career in Australian Rules football administration, or any sporting organisation for that matter, without first having the skills and confidence to deliver from day one. That’s why it is so important for secondary school students to attend the Careers for Young Women in Sport forum.”

VU's Susan Alberti Women in Sport Chair, Professor Clare Hanlon, whose recent study examined the role that uniforms play in increasing the confidence of girls to participate in sport and physical activity, says the Career for Young Women in Sport forum is a unique opportunity to foster tomorrow’s sporting leaders.

“To give over a hundred young women the opportunity to network with professionals, tour the campus and assist them with important career decisions is just one of the many ways VU is demonstrating a commitment to addressing the boundaries that prevent girls and women from achieving roles of influence across sports administration and management.”