A new Tasmanian Government strategy is setting out a long-term plan to improve access, participation and leadership opportunities for women and girls across sport and active recreation.
The She moves. She leads. She belongs. Tasmanian Women and Girls Sport Strategy outlines a vision for safer, more inclusive and enjoyable sporting environments, alongside a new grant program designed to support projects focused specifically on women and girls.
Sport Minister Nick Duigan said the strategy was shaped through consultation with sporting organisations, service providers and the wider community. The aim, he said, was to reflect lived experiences while addressing the practical barriers that can limit participation and progression.
National participation data consistently shows fewer girls playing organised sport compared with boys, while women remain under-represented in coaching, governance and senior leadership roles. The Tasmanian strategy acknowledges those gaps and attempts to respond through a structured framework rather than one-off initiatives.
The document identifies three priority areas. These include increasing opportunities for participation, supporting more women into leadership and decision-making roles, and fostering environments that are inclusive and welcoming. Supporters say this approach recognises that participation and leadership are closely linked, while critics often caution that structural change can take time and requires sustained funding.
Alongside the strategy, the government has announced Her Path to Play, a new grant program that will open on 10 February 2026. The program has a total funding pool of $400,000 and is intended to back projects that align with the strategy’s priorities and are designed with women and girls at the centre.
Officials say the grants will support a range of initiatives, from grassroots participation programs to leadership development and facility-based projects. Further details on eligibility and assessment criteria are expected to be released ahead of the program opening.
An action plan is also set to be developed in partnership with sporting bodies and service providers. This plan is expected to outline specific deliverables and timelines, responding to ongoing feedback from the sector as the strategy moves from policy to practice.
The government has framed the strategy as part of a broader effort to support physical activity, wellbeing and community connection across the state. However, its long-term impact will likely depend on how effectively it is implemented, how funding is distributed, and whether sporting organisations are able to adapt existing structures to support sustained change.
For community clubs already managing volunteer shortages and rising costs, the additional support may offer welcome relief, though some will be watching closely to see how accessible the programs prove in practice, particularly in regional areas.
More information on the Her Path to Play program and the She moves. She leads. She belongs. Tasmanian Women and Girls Sport Strategy 2026 to 2032 is available here.
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