Increasing sport and active recreation opportunities for everyone.
About Fair Access
Fair Access aims to increase opportunities in sport and active recreation for everyone, in particular women, girls and under-represented groups. In turn, organisations may find benefits in:
- new ways to attract more participants including players, volunteers and officials;
- stronger, more connected community and organisation;
- increased funding opportunities
It is difficult for some people to participate in sport and active recreation. Fair, inclusive and safe opportunities can mean different things to different people.
Sport and active recreation are core parts of our lives, contributing to health and fitness, culture, social connection and sense of belonging. We want sport and active recreation to be available to everyone, so everyone can fully participate and reach their full potential.
How to implement Fair Access
There are five action areas to step through when working towards being a Fair Access organisation. These are explained in detail in the Fair Access Guide. The five action areas include:
Action 1: Assess
Complete the self-assessment tool to assess opportunities and identify actions for implementing fair access. Clubs and organisations are asked to email completed self-assessment tools to [email protected]
Action 2: Provide
Provide accessible, inclusive and equitable opportunities for women, girls and under-represented groups. Provide this to the wider community on CONNECT Greater Bendigo.
Action 3: Promote
Promote benefits of fair and equitable sport and active recreation for all – including health, fitness, wellbeing, social connection, fun, stress reduction and skill development.
Action 4: Celebrate
Celebrate those that are leading the way in gender equality and inclusion – including through newsletters, social media, awards or congratulating those doing the right thing.
Action 5: Support
Support and share information about informal and free participation opportunities – including by providing times a facility is available for community use and come and try events.
Frequently asked questions
In 2022, the Fair Access Policy Roadmap was developed by the Officer for Women in Sport and Recreation in partnership with VicHealth and Sport and Recreation Victoria. Its goal is to make sure women and girls across the state have equal access to community sports facilities.
Under the Roadmap, all local councils in Victoria and Alpine Resorts Victoria were to adopt a policy that supports equal access to sports facilities for everyone.
The City adopted the Fair Access Policy in August 2024, which also aligns with the Council's existing obligations under the Gender Equality Act 2020.
The City is now inviting all sport and recreation clubs to also begin working towards being a Fair Access organisation.
Sport and recreation clubs and organisations play an important role in supporting fair access for women and girls and under-represented groups.
Local sport and recreation clubs and organisations are often where people have their first experience or exposure to sport and recreation. These organisations can ensure all women and girls have the chance to get involved, be encouraged, have equal opportunities, access support, and be rewarded.
Our life experiences impact on how we see the world in which we live. Aspects of a person's identity may affect these experiences and how welcome and safe a person feels participating. Aspects of a person’s identity may include (but is not limited to) gender, age, cultural background, ability, religion and sexual orientation.
Under-represented groups are people that are participating in lower numbers relative to the population in the broader community, and may be grouped by aspects of a person’s identity.
Fair Access organisations may experience:
- more participants, such as players, volunteers and officials
- increased performance, where all members can bring their best selves
- increased long-term sustainability of organisation
- stronger, more connected community and organisation
- increased community support
- increased sponsorship opportunities
- increased grant funding opportunities
We’re not all the same and have different needs when it comes to feeling welcome, included and safe. These differences once identified and understood can help organisations address imbalances in access.
Equity is the process of being fair to everyone in the distribution of benefits and responsibilities and a Fair Access organisation makes adjustments to address these imbalances.
Sport includes:
- informal sport e.g. playing tennis with a friend, and
- organised sport e.g. playing in a competition
Active recreation is leisure time, non-competitive, physical activity for exercise or enjoyment.
Participation includes a range of roles, such as:
- Player
- Volunteer
- Committee member
- Umpire
- Official
- Spectator