Her Sport Her Way grant to assist inclusion and leadership

Water Polo NSW is excited to announce we have been successful in our application for funding from the NSW Office of Sport's Her Sport Her Way grant program.

Inclusion and Leadership Focus

This funding will be applied across two promising projects:

The Girls Making Waves - Inclusion project adapts the existing Girls Making Waves participation program to address barriers to participation for two specific under-represented groups.

Water Polo NSW will partner with the KARI Foundation and Cerebral Palsy Alliance to provide access to water polo to both Aboriginal and young people with disabilities and their families, laying the foundations to enable inclusiveness and opportunity within our sport, beyond what we have previously been able to offer.

Upon receiving the news that this project would be funded by the Her Sport Her Way Grant, Cerebral Palsy Alliance CEO, Rob White said, “At Cerebral Palsy Alliance, we see the unique power of sport to break down barriers for people with disabilities and create opportunities for greater equality and inclusion every day. We’re excited to see the results of this program, which will build confidence, participation and social skills in girls and young women with disabilities.”

The Girls Making Waves - the Leaders project will enable identified women and gender diverse leaders in water polo in NSW to undertake courses to empower them as individuals and enhance their capabilities as leaders.

Water Polo NSW President Suzanne Ramke said funding from the Her Sport Her Way program supports WPNSW to deliver on its strategic plan and commitment to building an inclusive environment where all participants - coaches, officials, administrators and players - thrive, feel empowered and have opportunities to develop.

"Water Polo NSW recognises there are many levels and types of leadership within our sport and we're committed to increasing the number of women and gender diverse people in leadership positions both on pool deck and in administration."

"By adapting the successful Girls Making Waves participation program to reduce barriers for young people with disability and First Nations people, we will improve the inclusive culture within water polo in NSW." Ms Ramke said.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the Her Sport Her Way program supports State Sporting Organisations to deliver new initiatives that turbocharge female sporting participation.

"This program is all about increasing female participation in sport, whether that's on the field or in administration, coaching or volunteer roles," Mr Henskens said.

Through the generous support of the NSW Office of Sport, Water Polo NSW launched the Girls Making Waves program in 2020.

For more information on the Girls Making Waves journey so far and the opportunities it has enabled for women and girls across NSW visit Girls Making Waves - Sharing Our Love of Water Polo