Girls in South Australia are being given an even stronger reason to lace up their boots, pick up a racquet or grab a footy. The state’s largest investment yet in a dedicated program to support girls and women in sport has just opened for applications, with more than $9.1 million in funding now on offer. This third round of The Power of Her—Infrastructure and Participation Program (IPP) builds on a wider effort to increase female participation and transform local sporting environments.
A total of $18 million has been committed to the program across three years, with this round representing its most significant single-year investment. Football (soccer) will receive a substantial portion, with $6.1 million of this year’s pot allocated to improving opportunities for female footballers, inspired by the wave of interest following the Matildas’ success on the world stage. But it’s not just football in focus—sports such as netball, basketball, cricket, hockey, gymnastics and Australian Rules Football are also eligible, extending the reach of the funding across a diverse cross-section of athletic pursuits.
The funding is designed to support infrastructure upgrades, provide necessary equipment and enable local initiatives that specifically encourage and facilitate participation by girls and women. Examples from previous rounds show what the money can achieve. In Port Pirie, a $200,000 grant helped the local netball association resurface 12 courts at a community complex frequented by more than 600 players and volunteers. The upgrade has expanded playing opportunities, accommodated rising team numbers and made the sport more accessible year-round, particularly for female participants.
Sport and Recreation Minister Emily Bourke said this round is a continuation of the government’s work to build more inclusive sporting spaces and opportunities. “We are stepping up to deliver the biggest round yet of a program which is driving meaningful change for girls and women across South Australian sport,” she said. “Clubs and organisations can add to a growing list of projects that remove barriers to participation and create accessible and welcoming environments.”
The aim isn’t just about physical upgrades, either. The broader approach includes efforts to shift attitudes and culture within sport. Alongside the IPP, initiatives such as Game Changing. Period. and Raiise Respect are working to dismantle stigma and improve understanding around menstrual health and respectful conduct. Through the Active Club Program, clubs have also received support in the form of menstrual health products and training, acknowledging one of the often-overlooked barriers to ongoing participation for girls and women.
Assistant Minister for Junior Sport Participation, Rhiannon Pearce, underscored the broader impact that sport can have on wellbeing and self-esteem. “We want to level the playing field when it comes to girls and women in sport,” she said. “We know those who participate in sport have a more positive body image and improved wellbeing than girls and women who do not.”
While such statements might seem like common sense to those already involved in sport, the data backs it up. Young women involved in regular sporting activity report higher levels of confidence and lower levels of social withdrawal. By boosting access to high-quality facilities and making sporting environments feel safer and more supportive, the program is effectively tackling some of the key reasons girls drop out of sport during adolescence.
Sally Johns, President of the Port Pirie Netball Association, described the funding as transformational—not only in a practical sense but in terms of how girls and women see themselves in sport. “Female athletes and sporting organisations have historically faced significant barriers in access to quality facilities, coaching, and funding,” she said. “Programs like this help level the playing field by directly investing in environments where women and girls feel safe, valued, and encouraged to participate.”
Her comments point to something beyond infrastructure. While a freshly resurfaced court or a bank of new floodlights might seem like a surface-level fix, their impact is often deeper. Having a space that doesn’t just permit female participation but actively supports it sends a clear message: you belong here. And for younger players, particularly those who may not have had strong female sporting role models, the experience can shape their identity and confidence in powerful ways.
This round’s application process opens new doors for clubs and organisations seeking to build or expand that sense of belonging. Whether it’s through new changing rooms designed with female users in mind, coaching programs that provide pathways for women, or uniforms and equipment tailored for different body types, the funding provides practical ways to address longstanding gaps. The deadline for applications is Friday 15 August, with full details available through the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing’s website.
Importantly, the government’s messaging makes clear that this isn’t a short-term spotlight moment, but part of a larger shift in how sport is delivered and supported in the state. It’s an ongoing effort to realign priorities and reshape the kinds of opportunities that have traditionally been more accessible to boys and men.
For clubs operating in smaller or regional communities, where resources are often limited and facilities shared, the program offers an important opportunity. The resurfaced netball courts in Port Pirie didn’t just provide a better playing surface—they made year-round training possible, allowed for the expansion of junior teams and helped the club attract more volunteers. It’s a chain reaction: better facilities lead to more participation, which leads to stronger clubs and, ultimately, more vibrant communities.
And this kind of change doesn’t just benefit those on the pitch or court. As Sally Johns pointed out, when female athletes are supported and encouraged to remain involved in sport, they often return the favour—taking on roles as coaches, volunteers, committee members and administrators. Sport becomes not just a way to stay active but a long-term space for leadership and connection.
As this year’s record funding round gets underway, the call to action for clubs and organisations is clear. There’s money on the table to make real, lasting improvements to the way girls and women experience sport in South Australia. Whether it’s lights for evening training, a new kit for a growing girls’ team, or workshops to build leadership skills among young female athletes, this program is opening doors.
The ripple effects of these investments are hard to ignore. With every barrier removed—be it access, visibility, comfort, or confidence—another girl is more likely to stay in sport. And staying in sport can mean everything from a healthier lifestyle to a stronger sense of self to lifelong friendships.
Applications are now open, and the next chapter in South Australian sport for girls and women is about to be written—one club, one pitch, one player at a time.
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