Sport & Gender Equality in Melbourne’s East
Community of Practice Series
Advancing gender equality and preventing gender-based violence through sport and recreation
Women’s Health East, through the Together for Equality and Respect (TFER) partnership, is hosting a free two-part online Community of Practice series exploring the role of sport and recreation in advancing gender equality and preventing gender-based violence.
Following our first session on 15 September, join us for Community of Practice 2: Taking Action Through Sport on Tuesday 29 September, 10:00 am–12:00 pm.
Hear from local government and sporting sector leaders, explore practical approaches and connect with others working to create safer, more equitable and inclusive sporting environments.
You are welcome to join the second session whether or not you attended the first. You can also catch up through the session recording below.
Register now: Community of Practice 2 — Taking Action Through Sport
Tuesday 29 September 2026, 10:00 am–12:00 pm | Online via Zoom | Free
Explore practical programs, initiatives, partnerships and approaches supporting gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence across sport and recreation.
Through presentations and facilitated discussion, we will consider current work, lessons from practice and how these approaches could be applied in your own local context. Topics include practical club-level action, responding to resistance and backlash, and building partnerships that support sustainable change.
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/gPBlZfSyR_6ik_mzG_2nGg
Meet the speakers
Cassie Lindsey — Red Consulting and Training
Taking Meaningful Gender Equality Action in Sport
Cassie will draw on her experience across community sport, state and national sporting organisations and gender equality initiatives to explore how good intentions can become practical, sustainable action. Her presentation will focus on increasing participation on and off the field, practical club-level action, and local government’s role as an enabler and connector.
Megan Harper — Sports Inclusion Officer, City of Whittlesea
PVAW in Community Sport Settings
Megan will share insights from Whittlesea’s GE3 project and broader Fair Access approach, including how the gendered drivers of violence inform work with sporting clubs. She will explore resistance and backlash, and how councils can set clear expectations while supporting sustainable change in community sport.
Maddie Williams — Women and Girls Experience Coordinator, AFL Victoria
Advancing Gender Equality Across Community Football
Maddie will introduce the AFL Women & Girls Charter and the broader strategic approach to gender equality in community football. She will share information about the Gender Equality Education Program, practical examples of implementation with clubs, and ways local government can connect clubs with AFL Victoria programs, resources and opportunities.
Catch up on Community of Practice 1: The Role of Sport in Advancing Gender Equality and Preventing Gender-Based Violence
Held Tuesday 15 September 2026
Our first session explored sport’s role in creating safe, inclusive environments for participation, belonging and connection, and how an intersectional approach can strengthen gender equality and prevention efforts.
Thank you to our speakers for sharing their insights and experience:
- Rana Hussain, Founder of Good. Human: moving beyond participation and inclusion to build cultures of belonging.
- Vernetta Taylor, Prevention Advisor at Women’s Health Grampians: supporting whole-of-club change through the CoRE Alliance, Act@Play and local government partnerships.
- Dayna Nicholas, Free From Violence Project Officer at Knox City Council: reducing barriers and supporting volunteer-led clubs to create safe and inclusive environments.
Watch the session presentations: https://youtu.be/vdOKt_jw7yM
Who should attend?
The series is designed for practitioners who work with or support local sporting clubs, active recreation and community participation, including:
- Local government staff working in Sport and Recreation, Community Development, Community Strengthening, Gender Equality and Prevention.
- Community health organisations and primary prevention practitioners.
- Sporting organisations, leagues and others interested in advancing gender equality through sport and recreation.
We particularly welcome practitioners working across Melbourne’s east, alongside colleagues from across Victoria.
Both experienced practitioners and those newer to this work are welcome. Organisations are encouraged to bring multiple colleagues where relevant.
Recording and privacy
Presentation components are recorded for sharing with the TFER partnership and may also be used in Women’s Health East social media and other communications.
Participant discussions, interactive activities and conversations will not be recorded or distributed.
