VIS leads the way for gender balance in coaching

​Today, the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) held a morning tea for its staff members to celebrate the organisation’s success in achieving gender balance among its coaching staff.

The VIS is proud to lead the way in promoting gender equity and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.

Coach Development Lead (Gen32) Claire Lambe proudly presented to staff that 66% of the currently employed coaching staff are female, leading seven different sports programs at the VIS.   

“Today was a great opportunity to reflect and share how this positive gender balance in coaching has come about at the VIS,” she said.

“As well as considering the environment that fostered it, so that it can be maintained and progressed into the future.”

VIS Netball Development Coach and former Melbourne Vixens player Elissa Kent also shared her positive experience working at the VIS, highlighting the organisation’s flexible working environment that supported her through different stages of life.

“It’s an organisation that backs up with action and not just words,” she said.

“They show genuine care about working to help women advance in their careers.”  

Image: Claire Lambe presents to VIS staff members. 

Kent admitted that when applying for the Netball Development Coach role, she felt supported and even felt comfortable sharing with the panel that she was “thinking of having another baby.”

“Down the track, when I did have another baby, it was fine for me to take as much time as I needed off,” she said.

“Management made me feel that I could make the best decision for my family and I,” she said.

The morning tea also provided an opportunity to launch the VIS’ new initiative, the “Female Athlete Resource” group.

VIS Project Manager Sylvie Withers told staff that the aim of the group was to support the health, wellbeing, and performance of female athletes.

“We will provide a range of resources and opportunities to staff and athletes that will include open discussions,” she said.

“The group is also committed to enhancing the knowledge and skills of staff members through best practices and targeted research.”


Tomorrow is International Women’s Day and the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #EmbraceEquity. You can click HERE to learn more about International Women’s Day

The VIS proudly supports gender equity and diversity in the workforce and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. To read the VIS’ Gender Equality Action Plan 2022 – 2025, click HERE.

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