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New funding kicks goals to boost road safety through sport
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SportWest is excited to continue its road safety journey following the announcement of an additional $560,000 investment from the Cook Labor Government to expand the successful Best on Road partnership with the Road Safety Commission.
Originally launched in 2025 through a four-year commitment, Best on Road harnesses the power of sport to drive positive road safety behaviours across Western Australia's sporting community.
With SportWest representing more than 140 member organisations, 5,500 clubs and approximately 700,000 participants statewide, sport provides a powerful platform to engage communities and promote safer choices on WA roads.
The additional funding will support the delivery of a new stream of community-based road safety education at major sporting events across Western Australia, while further strengthening existing Best on Road initiatives, including:
- Best on Road Club Rewards Program – recognising clubs and organisations that actively promote road safety education and safe driving practices.
- The Captain’s Club – empowering young sporting leaders to champion positive road safety behaviours among their teammates and peers.
- Best on Road Ambassador Program – leveraging influential athletes and sporting figures to inspire safer road use through leadership and example.
- Best on Road Award – celebrating outstanding contributions to road safety at the annual WA Sport Awards.
The continued investment reflects the strong impact the program has already made across the sporting sector and highlights the important role sport can play in creating lasting behaviour change.
SportWest looks forward to building on this momentum and working alongside the Road Safety Commission, sporting organisations and local communities to ensure that every participant understands that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.
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| Read the Full Media Release |
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The True Sport Impact - Strengthening Sport Across WA |
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SportWest's True Sport program has been independently recognised as a national leader in community sport, with a recent evaluation by the University of Western Australia confirming its significant impact across Western Australia.
The evaluation found that True Sport is helping sporting organisations build safer, healthier and more inclusive environments, with 100% of Member Organisations reporting increased confidence in addressing key issues such as mental health, child safeguarding and sideline behaviour.
In 2025 alone, the program engaged 64 State Sporting Associations representing more than one million participants, members and volunteers, delivered 109 workshops and webinars, and recorded more than 15,000 interactions with the True Sport Online Resource Hub.
The findings reinforce the value of practical, sport-specific education and resources, with organisations reporting stronger policies, increased confidence and meaningful changes to their practices.
As True Sport Manager Jasmine Cappellucci said, "These results demonstrate the collective commitment of sporting organisations to creating safer, healthier and more inclusive environments for everyone involved in community sport."
Thank you to our Member Organisations, the WA State Government and all sector partners for helping make True Sport a success. |
| Read the Full Evaluation |
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Community Champions Recognised Through WA Local Sports Stars Volunteer Recognition Program
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We’re proud to announce Gail Butterworth and Ian Gillon as this fortnight’s recipients of the WA Local Sporting Stars Volunteer Recognition Program.
Gail has made an exceptional contribution to netball across the Great Southern, coaching within the Albany Netball Association since 2022 while travelling two hours each way from Katanning for training and match days. She also supports the Association’s Development squad, committing more than eight hours on the road each week throughout the season. Previously serving as a Development Officer in Katanning and as a regional coach, Gail has played a significant role in developing athletes across the region. Her selfless dedication and passion for nurturing young talent continue to strengthen netball in regional Western Australia.
Ian has been a dedicated volunteer with Riding for the Disabled Murray Mandurah for more than 20 years, making a lasting impact across the organisation. He has held key leadership roles including President and Vice President, represented the centre at State Council and continues to contribute across all areas of the program. From driving the centre’s bus and leading horses in lessons to managing maintenance and repairs, Ian is a reliable and valued presence each week. His hands on support helps participants build confidence, develop skills and achieve their goals, making a meaningful difference within the community.
Congratulations to Gail and Ian on this well-deserved recognition.
Nominations for future recipients remain open, with winners selected by a dedicated panel throughout the program. Community members are encouraged to nominate the volunteers who make a difference in their local clubs and help keep sport strong across Western Australia. |
| Recognise your volunteers |
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2026 WA Sport Industry Conference | Call for Submissions
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Abstract submissions are now open for the 2026 WA Sport Industry Conference, taking place on the 14 October 2026 at Pan Pacific Perth. Guided by the theme Beyond Sport: Where health, economy + community connect, we’re seeking presentations, workshops, panels and case studies that deliver practical, real-world insights across the following themes:
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Preventative Health & Lifelong Participation
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Sport, the Economy and Community Prosperity
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Capability, Governance & Performance
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Technology, Innovation and Digital Safety
This is your opportunity to position yourself (or your organisation) as a thought leader, share lessons learned and contribute to the critical role sport plays in preventative health, economic growth, workforce capability, innovation and community wellbeing and how the sector can respond to emerging risks, opportunities and expectations.
We invite submissions that share practical insights, evidence-based approaches, real world case studies and lived experience relevant to the Western Australian sport and active recreation context. We want to hear about your experiences.
Submissions close 5:00pm (AWST), Friday 17 July 2026
Submit your abstract and help shape the 2026 conference program.
Read the Full Submission Guidelines |
| Start your Submission |
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Celebrate the Next Generation of Women in Sport Leadership
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Join us to connect, support and recognise women shaping the future of sport in Western Australia.
This mid-program event for the Women of Sport Leadership Program will showcase the potential of our 2026 Emerging Leaders, along with the university students joining the program for the first time this year.
Over breakfast, you’ll hear reflections from participants on what they’ve learned so far. Mentee guest presenters Janine Birkett, Netball WA, and Makayla Pugliese-Thompson, Edith Cowan University student, will also share their experiences and key takeaways from the program to date.
Our program partner, Metisphere, will provide insights on the program’s impact.
Whether you’re a leader, peer, mentor, or ally, your attendance helps build a more inclusive and supportive sport industry.
Date: Wednesday, 22 July 2026
Time: 6:45am arrival for a 7:00am start
Event Concludes: 9:30am
Venue: Sunset Terrace Scarboro Function Centre, The Esplanade, Scarborough Beach
RSVP: Before 5pm Wednesday, 15 July 2026
Cost: SportWest Members $30 | Non-members $45. Breakfast is provided |
| Purchase Tickets |
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Celebrate NAIDOC Week Through Sport
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NAIDOC Week is an important opportunity for clubs and sporting organisations to celebrate the histories, cultures and achievements of First Nations peoples.
Explore True Sport’s cultural education resources, tools and ideas to help build more inclusive and culturally safe sporting environments.
During NAIDOC Week and throughout the year, sporting organisations can strengthen cultural understanding, foster respectful relationships with First Nations communities, and create welcoming, culturally safe environments for all participants. |
| Find out more |
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Game On: Teaming Up for Climate Action Program
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The Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is providing $35.3 million across two grant funding rounds to help local sports clubs take climate action.
The program will support up to 500 community sports clubs to upgrade facilities, improving climate resilience and energy efficiency.
Applications close 28 July 2026, or earlier if available funding is exhausted. |
| Find out more |
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Help Shape the Future of Disability Sport in Australia
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The vision of Australia's Play Well Sport Participation Strategy is that "Everyone has a place in Sport" and its mission is "to create safe, welcoming, inclusive and fun experiences". The Australian Sports Commission and the University of Queensland are collaborating on a project to develop a National Disability Sport Action Plan that will enact this vision and mission. This stakeholder survey is the first step in the project.
Through this survey they want to understand how you – the stakeholders in disability sport – think safe, welcoming, inclusive and fun experiences can be delivered. The aim is to create a person centred, codesigned plan that aligns organisations supporting people with disabilities in sport, making it easier to start, stay and thrive. |
| Have your say |
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Female Performance Pathway and Development Advisory Group | Expressions of Interest
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WA Football is inviting Expressions of Interest to join its Female Performance Pathways Strategy Advisory Group, a key initiative aligned to WA Football's commitment to equity across the game.
This group will play an important advisory role in shaping a contemporary Female Performance Pathway Strategy, ensuring equal access, resourcing and opportunity for women and girls across WA. Bringing together diverse perspectives from across the football landscape, selected members will contribute insights spanning participation pathways, regional and First Nations communities, WAFL pathways and high-performance environments.
The Advisory Group will help guide both the development and implementation of the strategy, with a focus on strengthening opportunities for players, coaches, umpires and administrators.
We encourage leaders and influencers across the sector to consider applying or sharing this opportunity with individuals who can add value to this important conversation.
Expressions of Interest are open until COB Friday 17 July. |
| Express your Interest |
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Employee and Volunteer Assistance Program Information Session
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Join us for an introductory webinar with our new Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Volunteer Assistance Program (VAP) provider, PeopleSense by Altius.
This session will provide an overview of the wellbeing support services available to our members, including how to access confidential counselling and wellbeing resources for yourself, your staff, volunteers, and eligible family members.
The PeopleSense team will also demonstrate the AltiusLife platform and mobile app, showcasing practical tools and resources designed to support mental health, wellbeing, resilience, and everyday life challenges.
Whether you are new to EAP/VAP services or looking to better understand the full range of support available, this webinar is a valuable opportunity to learn how to make the most of these services.
Date: Thursday, 23 July 2026
Time: 9:30am – 10:30am AWST
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
Cost: Free |
| Register Online |
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True Sport X Evolve WA | De-escalating Conflict & Aggression Workshop
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SportWest is proud to deliver a Evolve WA facilitated workshop as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting safer and more respectful community sport environments.
Conflict is an inevitable part of working with people, and at some point we will all encounter an agitated, aggressive or emotional interaction. How we respond can make the difference between a smooth resolution and an escalating situation.
This practical workshop will provide participants with tools and techniques to confidently respond to threatening, violent, aggressive and unexpected behaviour. It is particularly valuable for those in public-facing or high-pressure environments, including sport and recreation settings.
Date: Thursday 6th of August 2026
Venue : Multifunction Room, Sport HQ | 203 Underwood Ave, Floreat
Time: 9.00am-12.30pm
Details: Morning tea included
Registration: Closes at 11:59pm, Tuesday 4th of July 2026
Cost: SportWest Member Organisations free. Non-members $50. |
| Register Online |
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Help Strengthen Community Sport Across Western Australia | Expression of Interest
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SportWest's True Sport program is establishing a Preferred Provider List of experienced, independent dispute resolution professionals who can support sporting organisations across Western Australia.
We are inviting qualified mediators and investigators with experience managing governance, member or sporting disputes to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Successful applicants will be included on the True Sport website from August 2026. The directory will provide State Sporting Associations, clubs and community sport organisations with access to trusted professionals who can assist with conflict resolution, investigations and other dispute resolution services.
All EOI submissions will undergo a vetting process to ensure providers meet the required professional standards and have the appropriate qualifications, experience and insurance.
If you are passionate about supporting safer, fairer and more respectful sporting environments, we encourage you to apply. EOIs are now open and will close on the 12th of July 2026.
Complete the Expression of Interest form to be considered for inclusion on the True Sport Preferred Provider List. |
| Express your Interest |
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