2016 was another massive year for the Vicsport team. Representing our members on a number of key issues, growing the Vicsport Professionals Network (VPN) and supporting VicHealth and Sport & Recreation Victoria initiatives & so much more! Please see below a snapshot of Vicsport's activities for 2016. For more information about Vicsport's industry representation and operations see the 2015-2016 Annual Report.
Vicsport is excited for what is to come in 2017. Watch this video to see Vicsport's Strategic direction for 2017-2020. Additionally, ensure you are following Vicsport on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to stay up to date.
*An engagement is recorded when Vicsport provides a service of 30 minutes or greater via phone or face-to-face.
Cross sector panels include:
- Women In Sport and Active Recreation Inquiry Panel
- Women in Sport and Recreation Inquiry Implementation Committee
- Social Isolation and Loneliness among Senior Victorians Advisory Group (Commissioner for Seniors)
- Deakin University Exercise and Sports Science Advisory Board
- Deakin University Sports Management Advisory Board
- La Trobe University Research Focus Area Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Advisory Committee
- Melbourne Metropolitan Turf Cricket Taskforce
- Victorian School Sport Council
- Volunteering Victoria – Volunteering in Sport Special Interest Group
- Ministerial Advisory Council for Volunteers
- Anti Poverty Week – Victorian Steering Committee
- Victorian Active Ageing Partnership – Project Advisory Group
Victorian Sport Awards
The year kicked off with a bang as the 2015 Victorian Sport Awards attracted over 400 of Victoria’s athletes, coaches, officials and administrators to celebrate the year’s sporting achievements on and off the field. Nominees included World Champions, Olympians, and Grand Final winners across a variety of sports.
Vicsport Professionals Network
The Vicsport Professionals Network (VPN), has continued to grow in numbers and provide valuable professional development and networking opportunities for Victorian Sports Administrators. Categories cover students, industry professionals, senior industry professionals and board directors within the Victorian sport industry.
Members had access to the following activities during the 2016 period:
Making Healthy Easy Cooking Class
Ethical Decision Making: Are you asking the right questions?
Creating Your Vision - with Leigh Russell
SportsTalk Forum & Christmas Networking Function
Networking: Overcoming Your Fears - video resource (members-only)
Standing Out From the Crowd
Members were provided with priority access and discounted registration to industry conferences and events:
PSCL Sports Analytics Conference - including free access to exclusive video content
Change Our Game / WISAR
The Game Plan Inquiry found that there aren’t enough senior leadership roles held by women. It also found that improved gender balance on boards and in administration and coaching leads to a range of benefits. In addition to being a member on the Women in Sport & Active Recreation (WISAR) implementation committee, Vicsport has created a resource to assist Victorian Sport to increase the number of females in senior leadership positions. The guidelines are aimed at helping a broad range of organisations in the sector think about some of the barriers to recruitment and retention and how to solve them.
The Guidelines for the recruitment and retention of women in leadership roles was prepared by Vicsport in collaboration with Lynne Sheehan Consulting, HR Advice Online and Sportspeople.
Download Guidelines for the recruitment and retention of women in leadership roles.
Child Safe Standards
Working with the Victorian Government and Victorian Commission for Children and Young People, Vicsport has developed a number of resources to assist State Sporting Associations (SSA) and Regional Sport Assemblies (RSA) meet the new Child Safe Standards legislation.
In addition to resources, Vicsport has developed a program designed to train SSA and RSA staff to support and empower their members through the implementation of the Standards.
For more information visit the Vicsport Child Safe Standards page.
State and Regional Sport Program (SSP/RSP)
Supported by VicHealth, this program supports SSAs and RSAs with the implementation of their Physical Activity, Healthy Choices and Water programs and initiatives.
Through hands-on workshops and project sharing sessions, facilitated by industry experts, sports are able to develop their programs.
Events
CEO Forum
Latrobe City was the host of this year's Vicsport CEO Forum (formerly Retreat). 35 leaders from various State Sporting Associations (SSAs) and Regional Sport Assemblies (RSAs) descended upon Traralgon for the event, in its third year. The Forum's theme for 2016 was 'Leading as the face of your organisation'.
LGA Forum
Understanding the current trends and challenges being experienced globally and locally in the sporting sector is extremely important for Local Governments. The 40+ attendees at the recent Vicsport Local Government Authority (LGA) Forum received an inside look at these trends, and what they could mean for their Councils.
President's Breakfasts
During 2015-16 Vicsport Chairman Margot Foster AM and CEO Mark McAllion hosted President’s Breakfasts. These events saw four to six SSA Presidents invited each time to discuss the major challenges within each organisation, learn from other sports and create collective strategies for future development. Vicsport used the information collected at the breakfasts to inform its representation and advocacy work.
Vicsport Forward Thinking Series
As an extension of the 2014-15 Forward Thinking Series delivered by Vicsport and supported by VicHealth, three Open House sessions were conducted in 2015-16 and 130 individuals attended. The concept, based on Innovation Hubs in other industries, was held at Life Saving Victoria’s function facility and saw the venue split into three distinct work zones; a quiet zone for people to work on their laptops, a formal meeting area with tables, chairs, whiteboards and flip charts and an informal meeting zone with couches and bean bags to encourage networking. The venue was open all day for people to come and go as they pleased. Each day also included lightning talks – short presentations from guest speakers to stimulate thought and discussion.
The Forward Thinking Series continues in 2017 with a four-event series taking participants on an innovation journey. Learn more.
This year's SportsTalk Forum was titled: Podium & Participation: Governance, Recognition & the Return on Investment.
The guest speaker for the Forum was Gideon Haigh. Haigh highlighted all the wonderful things a local club can bring to a community and the individuals within it. He spoke of the diversity of his club, with of various ages, cultures, ethinicities and skill levels connecting because of the common bond of cricket. Sport has the ability to bring people together who otherwise would never have met.
The SportsTalk Forum was followed by Vicsport's Annual General Meeting and Christmas Drinks for Vicsport's members.
Vicsport Submissions
The purpose of the submission was to provide feedback regarding the suggested governance reform that sport should consider. Vicsport supported strategic alignment within sport but suggested that beginning with a collaboration agenda would achieve more success than a structural change agenda.
Vicsport provided a response and recommendations related to the draft initiatives proposed by State Government related to Child Safeguarding.
Vicsport’s response commended the Women In Sport & Recreation Inquiry Report as appropriate gender equity strategy related to sport and active recreation.
Vicsport’s submission highlighted the role of sport in the community and the need for community sporting facilities in addition to major stadia and facilities to be considered in the 30 year strategy.
Strategic Support
Vicsport provided strategic support services to number of members during 2016 including SSAs, RSAs, LGAs, universities, government agencies, local clubs and associations, private providers and commercial operators. Vicsport provided support and/or advice on numerous topics including government relations, governance, dispute resolution, legislation and strategy.
To find out more, see the Vicsport 2015-2016 Annual Report in addition to the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan.
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