A regional sport researcher says major women’s sporting events such as last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup have sparked huge national interest, but the benefits are not being felt evenly outside Australia’s major cities.
Dr Alana Thompson from the University of Newcastle, who specialises in sport event legacy, says metro communities tend to receive long‑term gains from big events, but many regional clubs do not have the facilities or volunteer capacity to take advantage of the increased interest from females.
She says regional players often face additional barriers, including limited access to clubs offering female pathways and a lack of suitable amenities such as female or gender‑neutral change rooms.
“Treating everyone the same doesn’t break down the barriers some people are experiencing in sport,” she said.
While governments have increased funding for gender‑inclusive facilities, Dr Alana Thompson says many clubs are already stretched by declining volunteer numbers and growing administrative requirements. She suggests International Women’s Day is a timely opportunity for committees to begin planning upgrades and grant applications.
She also emphasised the importance of men and boys supporting change in their own clubs.
“They’re often the ones sitting on committees, so having them as advocates is really important,” she said.
