Parallel D – Ms Helen Brownlee

IV IOC World Conference on Women and Sport: Promoting Equality of Access at Community Level NOC Case Study: Australia

Presented by Helen Brownlee OAM Australian Olympic Committee

Thank you for the opportunity to share the Australian Olympic Committee’s “state of play” with respect to women and sport.

When we look at the question of how to promote women’s involvement in sport through participation, coaching, and administration, the challenges often raised are those of attitudes, perceptions and balancing family demands.

Perceptions and attitudes in sport appear to be strongly correlated to a country’s culture. In Australia, sport is part of our national identity. Sport defines us as people, and in so many ways, influences our lives. Australian sporting triumphs at the Athens Olympics elevated the national wellbeing mood (morale / satisfaction / how we felt about life and life in Australia) to its highest levels in August 2004. This reflected the spike observed during the Sydney 2000 . (1)

The challenges facing the AOC and Australian sport with regard to women and sport will continue to change. This paper represents a “snapshot in time” of contemporary strategies, key messages and our vision for the future.

The key factor is that the AOC is not prescriptive on gender equity, except on the Athletes Commission and their representation on our Executive Board, where equal representation is required. Beyond that, it is incumbent on the AOC to identify and encourage individuals with the best skills, experience and individual qualities to serve on our National Federations, our Olympic Team Executive, as AOC staff and the AOC Executive itself. Very often, and increasingly so, those individuals are women.

At the end of the day, the AOC advocates for gender equity, rather than equality. Webster’s dictionary defines equity as “justice, impartiality; anything that is fair.” Equality, on the other hand, is defined as “of the same quantity, size; having the same rights, ability etc.” (Appendix I) Over the past fifteen years we have demonstrated “the principle and practice of fair and equitable allocation of resources and opportunities for females and males.” (2) By doing so we have provided all individuals with access and opportunity to a full range of activities, and witnessed an increase in both participation and success.

The AOC takes particular pride in the achievements of our women athletes – noting the steady increase in female members of Australian Olympic Teams. In the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, women made up 33% of the total team, and won 19% of the medals. In Athens, 2004, women made up 43% of the total team and won 37.5% of the medals. (Appendix II)

In 2007, the AOC created a gender based medal tally using the international benchmark events for each sport. For the women’s top 20 nations medal tally, Australia is in 5th place on 28 medals (14G/5S/9B), and the men’s top 20 nations medal tally, shows Australia in 8th place

PROMOTING EQUALITY OF ACCESS AT COMMUNITY LEVEL – NOC CASE STUDY: AUSTRALIA p.1 on 19 medals (7G/6S/6B). Our women are giving every indication that they will, once again, be the predominant medal winners at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Those women in leadership positions within our Executive and member sports, and the number of women who represent at the International Federation level, either on the Board or Technical Committees, continues to grow. (Appendix III)

Today, there are 3 women on the AOC Executive, making up 21% of the total membership, a total of 70 women on our National Federation’s boards (an increase of 3.9% since 2006), making up 25% of total board membership, and some 8 women representatives at the International level of their sport. At least 11 women also contribute to the leading role of the AOC in the Oceania Region through support and encouragement for the island nations in their respective sports, as well as for issues related to women and sport.

How was all this achieved?

I am happy to share our strategies with you, but before doing so, it is important to place the AOC in the context of a much broader national picture, where promoting the involvement of women and girls in sport is actively pursued by many agencies.

We are indeed fortunate in Australia, as our Governments – at both the Federal and State levels - have been proactive in removing barriers and developing opportunities for women across the broad spectrum of business, the workplace, health and education, as well as sport. Substantial funds are allocated to the implementation of national and state plans which address the areas of participation, environments, leadership and promotion of women in sport and physical activities.

It is important for the AOC to be cognisant of these opportunities and to not duplicate programs which can be effectively delivered by others. In addition, there is an increasing focus on the benefits of regular participation in sport for individuals, the community and society at large.

The Australian Sports Commission in their October 2006 Report on the Contribution by Sport in Australia states: “The importance of sport as a means to achieve wider social, health, economic and environmental outcomes has been increasingly recognised by the Australian Government and others over recent years. Much of the increased investment in sport that has occurred from the various tiers of Government to date was founded on the argument of ‘sport for good’ as opposed to ‘sport for sports sake’. (1)

So, the AOC has a very good foundation on which to build and enhance the access for women in sport, as well as a strong support network across Australia.

Since the IOC set the targets for women’s involvement back in 1996, the AOC has implemented a number of strategies with particular focus on increasing the number of women in leadership roles. A Taskforce was established, research carried out (both at home and overseas) and a subsequent Women and Sport Strategy developed in consultation with all our member sports (May 1997).

This created a climate of commitment from National Federations and AOC personnel to implement the planned strategies, and to continue the national dialogue. We attempted to complement (not duplicate), those initiatives already available to women at state or national level, and made a conscious decision to be targeted in our approach.

PROMOTING EQUALITY OF ACCESS AT COMMUNITY LEVEL – NOC CASE STUDY: AUSTRALIA p.2

STRATEGIES

1. WORKSHOPS

In 1998, an AOC Workshop “The Changing Face of Leadership” provided the opportunity for women to increase their knowledge and skills specifically in the areas of leadership, interpersonal skills, communication skills and successful team building. The target women were identified by their sports as demonstrating the ability to be a potential leader, and one nomination was accepted from each organisation – total 40. In addition, each sport made a commitment to support their nominated woman in the pursuit of leadership opportunities.

As part of the AOC Strategy, the 1998 participants were invited back to a follow-up Workshop in 1999, covering the areas of negotiation skills, time management, planning/meeting skills and techniques for successful networking. In addition, the participants had the opportunity to share their achievements since attending the first Workshop. This exercise proved to be most enlightening, and certainly confirmed that our approach was on target. Many of the women had used newly acquired skills to achieve workplace or sporting success, some had successfully taken up positions of leadership, and a number of National Federations had developed their own strategies to promote the participation of women. (Appendix IV)

From this second Workshop a selection of those women considered to demonstrate a high level of leadership potential were invited to a Working Lunch. This lunch provided the opportunity for a presentation by a leading businesswoman, further networking, and positive, supportive interaction.

Since the 1999 Workshop, it has been interesting to follow the pathways of the participants, and particularly those who contributed to the success of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games as Competition Managers, Sport Managers or Technical Officials. Since the Games, some of the women have been elected to their National Federation Boards, or taken up management roles in sport, or sport related work.

Our next take-up was in 2005, when the AOC conducted a seminar “Leadership Dynamics” with a strong, yet different, emphasis on increasing the representation of women on Boards of our member sports.

Given the knowledge that in the world of sport (traditionally a masculine culture) men are required to “champion” change initiatives along with women, we looked closely at the Board membership of our National Federations and invited those men and women who could effect change within their organisations, or be potential Board members. Also invited were several sports who had demonstrated excellent principles of management and/or governance, and these people were used as leaders for the group workshop sessions. This resulted in an equitable gender balance among the 60 participants, of whom 12 were athletes, and the representation of 30 Olympic Sports (Summer and Winter).

The one day program presented current “best practice” in business, emphasising skills based Board representation, with particular reference to governance, Board diversity and cultural change. Participants appreciated the opportunity to network and share ideas. They viewed the seminar as a positive indication of the AOC working more closely together with the sports, and empowering them to make changes at all levels, particularly with respect to increasing the number of women on Board positions. Recent anecdotal comments would

PROMOTING EQUALITY OF ACCESS AT COMMUNITY LEVEL – NOC CASE STUDY: AUSTRALIA p.3 indicate that the effect of this seminar continues to influence in a positive manner, as National Federations seek the views of the AOC in actively recruiting women for board positions.

The AOC survey, conducted in February 2008, indicates an increase of 3.9% in the women Board members of our Olympic sports, from the previous survey in 2006. Five sports with no women on their Board, have made a commendable effort in identifying and encouraging women to take up positions; Triathlon being the outstanding example with 3 women now appointed, out of a total of 8 Board members (45%). Four other sports increased the number of women on their Board by 1, three sports noted an increase of 2, and one sport increased from 2 to 6 women. The overall representation of women on the Boards of Australian National Olympic Sports is now 25%. (Appendix III)

Another pleasing outcome is that our National Federations are now initiating many programs themselves, which address the issue of gender equity across a range of areas. These include:

• Community programs; Girls only Talent ID days; Conferences for women which are sport- specific; Club and State participation and/or coaching programs promoting equity. • Coaching courses for retired, elite women athletes, with flexible course completion; Women Coaches mentoring programs; program to fast-track development of female coaches; Coaching Scholarships for women, including support for international development. • Elite athlete training squads specifically for women; Development of a project to achieve an Australian Ladies Ice Racing Relay Team at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. • Leadership programs to increase administration and technical skills (umpires, scorers) for women in remote and regional areas.

One sport actually noted the increase in women’s interest and participation since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games to achieve close to 50% of all membership.

2. ROLE MODELS

The AOC both centrally, and through the State Olympic Councils, encourages athletes to be role models for young people through their involvement in Olympic Education Programs – The a.s.p.i.r.e. school network: Olympic Academies; Pierre de Coubertin Awards; Olympic Day; School Assembly Presentations; Live Clean, Play Clean, Drug Education and the Australian Youth Olympic Festival. We currently have endorsed 30 Olympic Ambassadors (5 men / 25 women) to promote the traditions and values of the Olympic Movement in the context of teaching life skills and values. The impact of athletes sharing their experiences through our Olympic Education Programs is truly inspirational, and has often resulted in young people changing ‘direction’ in their lives and striving to achieve a personal best.

3. WORLD LEADERSHIP FORUMS

The AOC is proactive in selecting women in leadership positions and/or women athletes to attend various national, regional and international conferences.

Those women, who have enjoyed this patronage, speak of the experience as one which is personally rewarding, building confidence, increasing skill levels and promoting an awareness of global issues in the world of sport. Given the many privileges we enjoy as a nation of sport loving people, such experience has proved to be a strong motivator for ongoing commitment and contribution to a range of programs. Further, the reach of these

PROMOTING EQUALITY OF ACCESS AT COMMUNITY LEVEL – NOC CASE STUDY: AUSTRALIA p.4 women through networks within Australia has allowed these individuals to share their experiences with others in the community.

4. AUSTRALIAN YOUTH OLYMPIC FESTIVAL

The AOC conducts the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) bi-annually at the Sydney 2000 Olympic venues. This competition offers young athletes an introduction to the world of international sport at an age when many young women are evaluating the options of remaining a competitive athlete. From the 2001/2003 AYOF, some 28 athletes (14 men / 14 women) were 2004 Australian Olympic Team members at the Athens Games. Of those, 8 were medallists, 4 of those women.

5. RECOGNITION

Athletes and their coaches who won medals at the 2004 Olympic Games, or who won medals in subsequent World Championship (or equivalent) events, are granted AOC direct funding to assist them to achieve selection and success at the 2008 Olympic Games, with no differentiation in money paid to male and females. The same system operates for the Olympic Winter Games athletes.

The AOC also provides funding to its member sports based on the number of athletes (male or female) likely to represent in the forthcoming Olympic Games. Irrespective of gender, the same funding is payable for potential Team members.

The AOC submits a nomination each year for the “IOC Women in Sport Trophy” to promote the advancement of women in sport. In 2001, the AOC received the World Trophy for its work in increasing women’s events at the 2000 Olympic Games, and the celebration of women’s participation during the Games Opening Ceremony. Since then, the Continental Trophy (Oceania) has been awarded to individual Australian women on 5 occasions.

6. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

Where appropriate, affirmative action has been taken to increase the number of women and achieve an equitable balance of gender. As mentioned earlier, the AOC Athletes Commission Constitution states that of the 8 members elected at each Olympic Games by the athletes, no less than 3 males and no less than 3 females shall be elected. With the Olympic Winter Games, 2 members are elected, comprising one of each gender. With a balanced Athletes Commission, the AOC believes that the views of our Olympic Teams (which are almost equally comprised of males and females) are accurately reflected.

In addition, gender equity is entrenched in the AOC Constitution by the use of gender- neutral language.

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

The AOC has a commitment to gender equity which infiltrates the management of all our programs and initiatives. The most successful outcomes, for us, are the result of cooperative partnerships between men and women, bringing a diversity of skill sets to the organisation. We believe that we are making a difference, but that does not mean we should be complacent.

We need to:

PROMOTING EQUALITY OF ACCESS AT COMMUNITY LEVEL – NOC CASE STUDY: AUSTRALIA p.5 • encourage women to be a resource for sports culture • strengthen the number of women involved in decision making for sport • support women who seek election to sport’s international bodies • monitor the demographics of women’s involvement in our sports federations • encourage development of skills through state-based seminars/workshops. • actively recruit women for positions of leadership • advise member sports of state-based networks for women • encourage more women athletes to be role models for young people • generate flexible and meaningful strategies for addressing increased time demands on women’s involvement.

Given our cultural and political environment in Australia, and the on-going cooperation between men and women, there is every reason to believe that women’s access to the world of sport – at all levels- will continue to develop.

Helen Brownlee OAM 9 March 2008

References. (1) “The Case for Sport in Australia” Report on the Contribution by Sport in Australia. Australian Sports Commission, October, 2006.

(2) The Montreal Toolkit – A Legacy of 2002 World Conference. International Working Group on Women and Sport. 2002.

NSW Sport & Recreation – Proposal for Women and Girls in Sport and Recreation 2007 – 2010.

Submission from Australian Olympic Committee to the Senate Inquiry into Women in Sport & Recreation, 19 June, 2006.

PROMOTING EQUALITY OF ACCESS AT COMMUNITY LEVEL – NOC CASE STUDY: AUSTRALIA p.6 APPENDIX I

Tool Achieving Gender Equity: The What?

Equity is synonymous with fairness and justice; to be equitable means to be fair, and to appear to be fair. Equity addresses many forms of discrimination including discrimination on the basis of race, gender, ability, age, national or ethnic origin, and religion.

Equity and equality are often confused. Webster’s dictionary defines equality as “of the same quantity, size, number, degree, value, intensity” and “having the same rights, privileges, ability, rank, etc.” Equity, on the other hand, is defined as “justice, impartiality; the giving or desiring to give each person their due; anything that is fair.” Equity does not necessarily mean that all persons must be treated exactly the same.

Gender equity is the principle and practice of fair and equitable allocation of resources and opportunities for females and males. Gender equity eliminates discriminatory practices that are barriers to full participation of either gender. A primary goal of gender equity is to provide all individuals with access and opportunity to a full range of activities, thus enabling them to realize their human potential.

Montreal Tool Kit. A Legacy of 2002 World Conference. Page 5 International Working Group on Women and Sport.

PROMOTING EQUALITY OF ACCESS AT COMMUNITY LEVEL – NOC CASE STUDY: AUSTRALIA p.7 APPENDIX II

PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC TEAMS

Summer Games

Women Ratio Women as a % Ratio Team Medalists as a % Women Olympic Year of the total Men Medalists / Composition of total Team Medalists / # Team # Men in Team Medalists Women in Team 96 women Barcelona 1992 33.1% 19.2%% 10 / 96 42 / 194 194 men 40% 170 women (more than 1996 55.3% 68 / 170 55 / 254 254 men double that of in 1988). 283 women Sydney 2000 44.8% 51% 78 / 283 75 / 349 349 men 208 women Athens 2004 43.2% 37.6% 50 / 208 83 / 274 274 men

Note. - ‘Medalists’ include all members of team sports (e.g. all members of a hockey team - sixteen team members are counted as medalists). - Multi medalists are only counted once per Games.

*NB. There were more women medalists than men in Sydney 2000.

Winter Games

Women Ratio Women as a % Ratio Team Medalists as a % Women Olympic Year of the total Men Medalists / Composition of total Team Medalists / # Team # Men in Team Medalists Women in Team Lillehammer 7 women 25.9% 0 0 4 / 20 1994 20 men 8 women Nagano 1998 33.3% 100% 1 / 8 0 16 men 13 women Salt Lake 2002 48.1% 50% 1 / 13 1 / 14 14 men 18 women Torino 2006 45% 50% 1 / 18 1 / 22 22 men

In looking at these figures it must be remembered that the Australian Olympic Teams are selected on merit regardless of gender, with athletes qualifying through their International Federations Olympic Qualifications System, approved by the IOC. For some Winter sports and a few Summer disciplines the AOC or National Federation imposes additional performance standards in order to be selected.

Given the merit based selection process, it is interesting to note the percentage of medals won by Australian women at Olympic Games.

Interestingly the percentage of women comprising the Australian Olympic Teams is higher than the overall percentage of representation of women in the Olympic Games.

PROMOTING EQUALITY OF ACCESS AT COMMUNITY LEVEL – NOC CASE STUDY: AUSTRALIA p.8 APPENDIX III

OLYMPIC SUMMER / WINTER SPORT FEDERATIONS Participation of Women on Executive Boards as at 22 February 2008

Total Sport Members Women Name Oceania International

Archery 5 1 Lynn Greenham Yvonne 9 2 Jane Hansen Mullins Athletics Janelle Brownyn Thompson Eldridge Corinne Badminton 6 2 Geraldine Brown Barnard Carolyn Toh

8 3 Katie Bickford

Baseball Deborah Healey

Michelle Anderson

8 3 Libby Woods

Basketball Lois Appleby

Shelley Lambert

Boxing 5 1 Jandra Cox Helen Helen Brownlee Canoeing 5 2 Danielle Woodward Brownlee (Executive Member) Kate Heeley Sue Natoli

11 2 Wendy Sanders Cycling Charlie Farren

Diving 6 1 Robyn Arlow

Equestrian 6 2 Mary Seefried

Alexi Kentish Helen Smith Fencing 6 1 Helen Smith (President) Helen Smith (Executive Member)

Football 8 1 Moya Dodd Connie Selby 8 3 Jane Allen (CEO) Jane Allen Jane Allen Allana Slater (ONOC Kym Dowdell Gymnastics Athletes (Technical Margot Foster Commission) Commission) Jenny Collins Danielle LeRay (Athlete (Technical Rep) Commission)

11 2 Brownyn Thompson Handball Viola Calvert

PROMOTING EQUALITY OF ACCESS AT COMMUNITY LEVEL – NOC CASE STUDY: AUSTRALIA p.9 Renita Garard (Executive Member - representing Athletes 10 4 Pam Tye (President) Panel) Hockey Renita Garard (Athlete Rep)

Danni Roche

Liane Tooth Angela Judo 7 1 Midge Hill Deacon Fiona Iredale Rebecca Joyce (Athlete Rowing 7 1 Rep)

5 3 Cheryl Arnol Shooting Suzie Smith Sharon Reynolds (Athlete Rep)

Maree Holden

9 5 Susan Rindfleish

Softball Joyce Lester

Jenny Cassidy

Jenny Halliday Lynne Bates Swimming 8 1 Michele Garra (Executive Member)

5 5 Barbara Lynch (President)

Helen Hall Synchronized Swimming Juanita Guthrie Irena Olevsky

Kerrie Hammett

Table Tennis 7 1 Bronwyn Marshall (CEO)

Tennis 9 1 Andrea Mitchell Jackie Fairweather 8 3 Denise Allen (Executive Member) Triathlon Melinda Farr Melissa Ashton-Garard

7 2 Joan Perry Volleyball Rosemary Bissett

Water Polo 8 1 Leanne Barnes

8 3 Mary Macken

Weightlifting Danielle Waller

Lyn Jones

Wrestling 5 0 PROMOTING EQUALITY OF ACCESS AT COMMUNITY LEVEL – NOC CASE STUDY: AUSTRALIA p.10 Yachting 8 1 Adrienne Cahalan Amateur Ice Racing 6 1 Yvonne Hay

Biathlon 6 ?

Bobsleigh 8 2 Judy Fisher and Skeleton Margot Foster

Curling 6 0

Ice Hockey 16 1 Dawn Watt

7 6 Cathy Taylor Ice Skating Sue Shelley

Carole Ashworth

Lyn Downing

Debbie Noyes

Karen Thompson Jacqui Cooper (Athlete Ski and 9 2 Rep) Snowboard Susie Warwick

Total = 271 70 11 8

▪ Women make up 25% of Australian National Federations. ▪ 10 women are representatives on Oceania Sporting Federations. ▪ 8 women represent Australia on International Federations Executive Board's or Techncial Committee's.

PROMOTING EQUALITY OF ACCESS AT COMMUNITY LEVEL – NOC CASE STUDY: AUSTRALIA p.11 APPENDIX IV

PROMOTING EQUALITY OF ACCESS AT COMMUNITY LEVEL – NOC CASE STUDY: AUSTRALIA p.12