CLARE HANLON
“Have fun and enjoy the ride; there is no straight path along your journey”
“Meet Clare, a professor at the Institute for Health and Sport at Victoria University. She is globally recognised for her solutions-based research and knowledge translation expertise, that builds community and organisational capacity for girls and women to lead and play sport. Clare has pushed the boundaries for sport uniforms, co-led a national framework for women in sport; and was a member of the Victorian Ministerial Inquiry for Women and Girls in Sport and advisor for three State/Territory Governments on infrastructure and systems.”
DIVERSE REPRESENTATION
“Sports organisations can ensure more diverse representation in their decision-making by embedding diversity into organisational strategic plans and senior leader KPIs. Ensure more than one woman is involved in the decision-making process.”
BALANCE THE BOARD
“In Australia, the Victorian Government’s Balance the Board policy (2019) focused on a minimum of 40% women directors on sport and recreation boards to be eligible for community sport funding.
Since the introduction, the percentage of women directors rose from 45%, to 97% in 2023 across more than 100 funded organisations.”
TAKE AWAYS FROM MY LIVED EXPERIENCE
Everyone is different: Connect, learn and lead ‘your’ journey; don’t rely on others
Be determined
Build resilience; take knock-backs as a way to grow Build support networks
Surround yourself with positive people
Find mentors and role models
Each day, gain social, mental, and physical health
Be kind to yourself
Have fun and enjoy the ride; there is no straight path along your journey”
PUT IN THE HARD WORK
“My parents have played a pivotal supporting role throughout my journey. Then encouraged me at a young age to put in the hard work as a player and leader in sport, bolstered me during challenging times and built my resilience which has been key for creating opportunities to enable girls and women to play and lead in sport.”
