Calling All Future Women Leaders
Are you a female bowler who’s interested in adding to the ways you can get involved in the sport? This opportunity could be for you.
Bowls Victoria has secured funding through Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Change Our Game grant scheme, supporting women in sport. This funding has been committed to help sixty-four women across the state improve their skillset in the areas of Coaching and Governance.
The Lead to Leaders program will see four women (two coaching and two governance candidates) from each of the sixteen regions across Victoria undertake accreditation and training. Participants will develop their skills, confidence and competency across two areas in which women are heavily underrepresented at clubs.
Women make up over 30% of Victorian bowls’ playing participants, but less than 16% of qualified coaches are women. Bowls clubs also have a heavy male leaning on boards of management, committees, and sub committees, while statewide (in sport and other sectors) the benchmark is for 40:40:20 (40% male, 40% female and 20% any gender) representation in leadership and decision-making roles.
Who should apply?
If you are a female bowler (Victorian affiliated) who is keen to:
- Undertake a coaching course to help bowlers at any level;
- Join a committee at club level (or higher) but don’t have the confidence or know-how;
- Empower yourself with the skills and knowledge to improve the sport of bowls for yourself and other bowlers.
Then this opportunity is for you!
Simply fill out the Expression of Interest (EOI) form linked below to be considered for one of the four positions available in your region. Please share this information with any friends or members at your club or others who may be interested in the program. All applications will be considered by Bowls Victoria.
About the training
Participants undertaking coaching education will be required to undertake 2 x 2-hour sessions delivered online, alongside the other successful female candidates. A third, face-to-face session on how to plan and support the delivery of female participation initiatives will also be held. Sessions will be delivered by Matt Ottobre, Bowls Victoria Club Education and Training Manager.
Participants undertaking governance training will be required to attend a 30-minute introductory webinar outlining the program, followed by self-paced learning of the provided modules (approximately 2-hour total commitment for up to 4 modules), and progressive check-ins with Bowls Victoria Staff and Board members to discuss learnings, next steps and opportunities.
Applications close 9am Monday 29th September 2025.
Successful applicants will be notified by Monday 13th October 2025.
