Gender Equity and Inclusion Policy and Action Plan - 2022-2026

LEADING THE CHANGE Gender Equity and Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026

Acknowledgement of Country Outer East Football Netball acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge we play our games on this land and respect the cultures of all First Peoples, their contribution to our nation and contribution to the game of Australian Rules Football and Netball.

INTRODUCTION Creating inclusive and welcoming environments for all participants is a key driver for Outer East Football Netball (OEFN) and much has already been achieved including the delivery of the multi-strategy initiative Leading the Change, #ExpectRespect and Getting Girls In.

The Outer East has established a Women’s Advisory Group to build upon the effort to increase women and girl’s participation in football.

The purpose of the Advisory Group is to raise the profile of women in the league, promote women and girls’ inclusion and address matters affecting women and girls’ football and netball club members and volunteers. The group will support the Outer East to achieve gender equality in participation, access to resources and representation. With more women involved in decision making clubs will better identify and overcome barriers to women and girls’ participation in sport and leadership.

The guiding principles and actions contained within this document will be embedded into the 2022-2026 strategic plan of Outer East Football Netball. We are committed to: Ensuring women have the opportunity to participate in decision making at all levels.

Providing a safe and inclusive environment for all people.

Offering a fair and equal workplace culture regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

Providing a safe and inclusive environment for female participants of I Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Island and culturally diverse backgrounds.

Ensuring family violence support is accessible to all who need it.

From the board down, gender equality and inclusion will be embedded in every aspect of our strategic planning, operations and decision making.

AARON BAILEY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

EMPOWER EVERY MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY, THROUGH EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED. EVERY ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO BE VISIBLE AND FEEL INCLUDED. We commit to creating competitions that truly reflect their communities, through equal opportunities for all. Our focus will be to ensure every player, umpire, coach and volunteer can reach their potential.

EMPOWERMENT OPPORTUNITY Develop, educate and support our players, coaches, umpires, and volunteers to enable all to reach their potential.

Equal opportunity for all participants to play our sports and to progress in both games, at all levels.

VISIBILITY

INCLUSIVE

Every competition and participant is highly visible, promoted and recognised.

Safe, inclusive and welcoming environments for all participants.

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH FOOTBALL AND NETBALL

The introduction of female sport in both netball and football has been vital for the sustainability and viability of our clubs.

Outer East Football Netball Competitions have a strong development process in place for both football and netball for the growth and participation of females.

Our competition is extremely unique where we have female and male teams running at 50% of each gender, something we are truly proud of. We are commited in providing a safe, inclusive environment for all of our communities. This policy ensures that equality and inclusion will remain a cornerstone of our strategic planning and future.

TONY MITCHELL- CHAIR

CURRENT STATE OF PLAY

212

2455

Mixed and Female

Female

Football and

Participants

Netball teams

Mixed and Female Football and ] Netball teams

Females in Leadership positions 7 Presidents, 21 head coaches (1 Football), 1

OUR GOAL

300

31 board member and 2 staff

3500

70

Female

Females in Leadership

Participants

positions

" We commit to creating competitions that truly reflect their communities, through equal opportunities for all. Our focus will be to ensure every player, umpire, coach and volunteer can reach their potential."

EMPOWERMENT Develop, educate and support our players, coaches, umpires, and volunteers to enable all to reach their potential.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES Invest in education, peer support and professional development to promote equity in football across all levels.

Support clubs in identifying, encouraging, and providing opportunities for women to take on key leadership roles within clubs, including president and coach.

Develop and support women into governance, decision making and leadership positions.

Identify and develop high performing women for leadership and governance roles across the league.

Volunteer development and recognition programs introduced that enhance retention and transition of female volunteers.

THE TARGET

Equal representation in leadership and governance roles by 2026.

ACTIONS We commit to

Provide education and development programs for coaches, umpires and volunteers that fosters both personal growth and development.

Introduction of a female leadership course for Women in the OEFN .

Networking and development days for current and emerging female leaders in the region.

Implement and maintain policies and by-laws that promote inclusion and diversity.

Increase female representation on the OEFN Board, advisory groups and club executives.

Support clubs in the identification of female leaders in executive management roles and coaching.

Further develop the OEFN Women’s Advisory Group to ensure female participation, women in leadership and inclusive club and league environments are considered in all league decision making.

Increase female representation on the OEFN Board and staff.

Introduction of a board member who specialises in inclusion, health or government policy to support inclusion across competitions.

OPPORTUNITY Equal opportunity for all participants to play our sports and to progress in both games, at all levels.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES Ensure the participation pathway best

Provide industry leading talent and

Continue to grow the sports of football and

supports the continued development

development programs for talented

netball, as a sport of choice for all, with

of participants and enables lifelong

female players and umpires across

clear pathways from junior to senior level.

participation in the game.

the region.

Support clubs in the establishment and

Create opportunities for growth and

development of clearly identified player

development in coaching, umpiring and

pathway/programs in both sports.

leadership positions.

Provide clear competition pathways, with

Support clubs in the establishment and

accessible entry points across all levels,

development of clearly identified player

that maximise growth and participation.

pathway/programs.

THE TARGET

Complete pathways, from entry level to open age.

Mirrored Talent and development programs that allow all participants to reach their capactity.

ACTIONS We commit to

Provide clear pathways in both football and netball, for all participants, regardless of gender.

Support clubs in identifying best fit and work with clubs in embracing and driving junior female participation programs, which will provide opportunities for young girls and boys to play sport for their/within their own communities.

Provide a clear transition from junior to senior netball and ease the burden of recruitment and retention on clubs.

Support clubs in developing long term pathways from entry to senior levels that ensures long term sustainability.

Clear pathways in both netball and football. Under 13, 15 and 17 in netball and 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 in football Provide transgender and non-binary participants the ability to compete in competitions of choiceas per current AFL and Netball Vic guidelines Identify opportunities for female participation in our community and work with local organisations (schools, clubs etc) to build pathways in both sports.

ACTIONS We commit to

Grow the talented player pathway for females in the region (Football and Netball).

Invest in Talent Identification for Female Football and netball (Female and male).

Ensure representative programs for netball and female football are equivalent to those available to male participants, with programs supported by and aligned to Netball Victoria and AFL Victoria programs.

Provide opportunities and access to elite coach education programs (football and Netball).

Develop a female coaching academy, in both Football and Netball.

Introduce a coach mentoring program for both Football and Netball.

Introduce a female Coaching ambassador for the league.

Grow the capacity of umpires in the region through coaching and development.

Provide matchday and training environments for umpires in the region that will encourage retention of female umpires.

Introduce an Umpire Mentoring Program for female umpires (Football) and male umpires (Netball).

GROWING NETBALL

1.Introduce Under 17 Netball across all senior competitions.

Introduction of a stand-alone 17 and Under Competition for Division 2.

Premier Division and Division 1 competitions to cater for participants at all levels.

Provide grading for Premier and Division 1 as required.

Development of equalisation policies to ensure competition remains focused on participation.

The aim: All clubs to have a 17 and under side by 2023.

2.Continue to grow the Under 13 and 15 mixed competitions, with a view to be a preferred pathway option for clubs’ long term.

Minimise separation between senior and junior competitions where possible by ensuring. competition is regionally based, with a mixture of home and away and regional competition days.

Introduction of regional competition days at rotating venues when senior clubs are away.

Investigate alternative fixturing options such as night games.

Review entry fees for Underage competitions (Under 13’s and 15’s) to encourage increased participation.

3.Ensure Netball is a genuine option for all genders in the region Continue to utilise inclusive rules and policies that encourage male and transgender participation.

Investigate a boys competition, including potential venues, competition days and times.

GROWING FOOTBALL

1. Increase female participation in entry level competitions, with a targeted focus on Auskick and Under 9 participation.

Footy for fun programs targeting girls across the region in pre-season and school holiday periods.

Female based school and kinder programs aimed at growing participation numbers and identifying new participants.

Introduction of female only Auskick groups.

Utilise Outer East AFLW players to promote and grow the game.

2. Grow the OEFN women’s competition to a three-division competition by 2024.

Support clubs without female football in the development of women’s and Under 18/19 teams.

Development of two team models in clubs with strong junior programs.

Support of stand-alone Women’s teams/clubs, with no male football alignment.

3. Build a strong transition age group (Under 18/19) competition for female football.

Build partnerships with neighbouring leagues to provide graded, competitive competitions.

VISIBILITY Every competition and participant is highly visible, promoted and recognised.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES Increased investment in the

Provide regular, diverse, and engaging

administration, promotion, and

content across all social media

development of female sport.

platforms.

Increase the promotion and

Build the profile of netball and female

recognition of netball and female

football in the region through greater

football competitions across all

insight into our people and our clubs.

available media platforms.

Build the profile of netball and female

Engage commercial support and

football in the region through greater

funding for female and gender diverse

insight into our people and our clubs.

programs and promotions.

THE TARGET

Equal coverage and promotion across all competitions by 2024.

ACTIONS We commit to

Introduction of a full time Netball Operations Coordinator.

Embed the Gender Equity Policy and action items in the leagues strategic planning.

Grow corporate support and investment into female development programs.

Identify funding opportunities to invest in media and promotion of female sport.

Provide opportunities for women in media roles within OEFN, including commentary.

Feature A Grade game each week to be played prior to football match of the round, live streamed, with commentators.

Senior women’s match filmed and shown each week.

Live stream of all female grand finals, football, and netball Football and netball Match of the round will be considered equally when choosing games each week.

Media weekly reviews and articles on netball and women’s football.

Highlights of female football match of the round shown across all social media channels.

INCLUSIVE Safe, inclusive and welcoming environments for all participants.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES Continue to invest in and provide club development programs that create

Provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for LGBTIQA+

inclusive, safe and welcoming club

participants, where they feel confident

environments and cultures.

to participate in Football and Netball.

Support clubs in providing safe,

Working with governments, councils

inclusive, and welcoming environments

and businesses to secure funding that

for all participants, volunteers, and

supports community clubs to improve

supporters.

female friendly and inclusive facilities.

Develop and nurture the engagement and progress of diversity talent programming for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and culturally diverse girls.

Ensure access to and use of existing facilities is shared equally across all participants.

THE TARGET

Grow female particpation to 3500 participants by 2026.

Every club represents the communities they represent.

ACTIONS We commit to:

Delivery of club development and training sessions that help foster inclusivity.

Introduce flexible uniform policies designed to increas participation, across both sports.

Provide support, education, and training for clubs to create inclusive and safe functions and events, with particular focus on function and event plans, responsible service of alcohol and family friendly events and functions.

Support clubs and teams in creating positive environments for participation, with a focus on inclusive language, respectful relationships and accessing funding and facilities.

Drive facility development and infrastructure planning with local governments, through a Regional Facility Development Plan and Female Facility Plan.

Work with local and state Government in the planning and development of multi court netball facilities and unisex change and toilet facilities across the entire OEFN Region.

Increase the quality and functionality and maximise the use and carrying capacity of existing facilities (two courts/grounds where grounds permit).

Provide female participants access to venues at “peak” times, rather than in alternative timeslots.

Ensure Netball facility development is considered in all regional facility and master planning processes.

ACTIONS We commit to:

Deliver Outer East by-laws, policies and processes that ensure LGBTIQA+ people can participate in and engage in sport and actively contribute to every community in the Outer East.

If identified, remove any exemptions allowing the exclusion of people based on their sexuality or gender identity from any sporting activities.

Education and training for clubs and volunteers to support inclusion LGBTIQA+ and NonBinary participants, including the use of correct identity names and pronouns.

Working with government agencies, support the use of unisex facilities across all venues.

Development of partnerships that decrease discrimination, increase participation and promote inclusion in both football and netball. This will include the expansion of the Yarra Glen Pride Cup Fixture to the Pride and Inclusion Round from 2022.

Introduce league policies for transgender and non-binary participants that provides the opportunity to participate in their sport of choice. This includes flexible uniform policies, correct use of pronouns and identity names and inclusive registration practices.

As a guide, the AFL’s current Community Football policy prioritises inclusion and provides:

Presentations are

In general terms, transgender women may play in women's community football

communication tools that

competitions, transgender men may play in men's community football competitions and

can be used as lectures,

non-binary people may play in the community football competition of their choice.

Gender diverse players may not be excluded for reasons of relevant competitive advantage over cisgender players in the competition;

reports, and more.

"EMPOWER EVERY MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY, THROUGH EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO SUCEED. EVERY ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO BE VISIBLE AND FEEL INCLUDED "

IMPLEMENTATION EDUCATE

EVOLVE

Provide clubs, participants and volunteers the

We must be flexiblie, agile and fluid with our

education and support to make genuine,

progress. Our success will come from

long term change at their clubs.

understanding the challenges and set backs and finding alternative ways forward.

EMBED

EVALUATE

From the board down, the actions and

Ongoing assessment and evaluation is

guiding principles must be embedded in

required to support decision making and

every aspect of our strategic planning,

policy development.

operations and decision making.

ENGAGE For true inclusion and equity to occur, we need to engage our men to be part of the conversations, the processes and the change.

Our competition is extremely unique, where we have female and male teams running at 50% of each gender, something we are truly proud of. We are commited in providing a safe, inclusive environment for all of our communities.