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Inspiring Women Series | The Courage to Lead: Lessons in Resilience, Leadership and Creating Change
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Join two of Australia's most influential women in sport for an engaging breakfast conversation about leadership, resilience and creating meaningful change.
Olympic gold medallist Natalie Cook OAM OLY brings insights from the highest levels of sporting performance, sharing lessons from success, setbacks, leadership under pressure and the courage required to keep moving forward.
Alongside her, Kerry Turner, one of Australia's leading voices in women and girls' sport, will share her experience driving change across sport and government, influencing policy, creating opportunities and leading reform.
This is a unique opportunity to hear a genuine conversation between two women who have represented Australia at the highest level of sport and gone on to influence the future of the sector in different ways. Together, they will explore lessons from elite competition, leadership, resilience and the courage required to create meaningful change.
Be inspired by their stories, learn from their experiences, and take away practical insights to help you lead with confidence in your own career, sport and life.
Date: Thursday 15 October 2026
Venue: Novotel Hotel Perth Murray Street
Time: 7.30am – 9.30am
Details: Includes sit-down plated breakfast
Registration: Limited tickets available! Registration closes at 12:00pm, Tuesday 13 October.
Cost: SportWest Members $50. Non-members $75. |
| Purchase a Ticket |
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Notice Seeking Nominations - SportWest Board
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In accordance with clause 12.4 of the SportWest Ltd Constitution, nominations are invited from suitably qualified individuals seeking election as a Director at the upcoming 2026 Annual General Meeting (2026 AGM).
The SportWest Board is seeking candidates for two (2) Elected Board Member positions to be filled at the 2026 AGM.
Nominations are currently being sought from suitably qualified and eligible individuals who wish to be considered to serve as an Elected Board Member of SportWest for a term of three years on a voluntary basis. Nominations must address at least one of the following identified priority areas:
All nominees wishing to seek election for one of the elected vacancies will need to complete and lodge the Nomination Form to SportWest no later 5pm, Monday 12 October 2026. Nominations must be signed by both the nominee and the nominator and emailed to the contact in the nomination form by this nomination deadline. |
| Nominate Here |
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2026 Women of Sport Leadership Program | Final Celebration
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Join us for an inspiring afternoon as we celebrate the achievements of participants in the 2026 Women of Sport Emerging Leaders Program and Student Mentoring Program.
Hosted by SportWest and in partnership with the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, this event recognises the commitment, growth and leadership demonstrated by our mentors, mentees and emerging leaders throughout the year.
Hear firsthand from participants as they share their experiences, key learnings and the impact these programs have had on their personal and professional development. Through mentoring, education, networking and leadership opportunities, these programs continue to support the next generation of women leaders in Western Australia's sport sector.
Industry leaders, program supporters, mentors, mentees and future leaders are warmly invited to join us as we reflect on the year's journey, celebrate achievements, and acknowledge the valuable contribution these programs make to advancing women in sport.
Date: Thursday 29 October 2026
Venue: Subiaco Hotel (Henry's Loft), 465 Hay Street, Subiaco
Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
RSVP: by 12pm Thursday, 22 October 2026
Details: Cocktail food and drink on arrival. Cash bar available.
Cost: SportWest members $25, non-members $38 |
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Local Sporting Stars | Congratulations Terry, Bruce and Steve
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As part of the Local Sporting Stars Volunteer Recognition Program, SportWest is proud to celebrate the incredible volunteers who give their time, skills and passion to support sporting clubs and communities across Western Australia. This fortnight, we recognise three outstanding volunteers whose dedication and contribution have made a lasting impact on their clubs.
Terry Gedge – Forrestfield & Districts Bowling Club
For more than 20 years, Terry has been a cornerstone of Forrestfield & Districts Bowling Club. As Club Treasurer, he has helped guide the club from a challenging financial position to a thriving one. A Life Member and current volunteer bar manager, Terry continues to give back in countless ways. His extraordinary contribution was recently recognised with the club’s inaugural Legend Status.
Bruce Russell – Bedford Bowling Club
At 82, Bruce continues to give generously to Bedford Bowling Club, sharing his extensive gardening knowledge and spending countless hours maintaining its gardens, pathways and surrounds. From caring for the club’s roses to hand-removing weeds, Bruce’s dedication and attention to detail have helped create a beautiful and welcoming space for the entire club community.
Steve Turner – Kambalda Football Club
Steve is the kind of volunteer who is always there, quietly getting the job done. From marking the oval and fixing what needs fixing to keeping the grounds clean, Steve gives his time week after week. A passionate supporter of Kambalda Football Club, he is always ready to lend a hand and get behind his teams. His commitment is a wonderful example of the spirit that keeps country football clubs strong.
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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SportWest Industry Expert Register
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The SportWest Industry Experts Register is an opportunity to harness and share the collective sporting expertise that exists across our state. By submitting your details, you'll help us identify and connect with relevant expertise when opportunities arise to share insights, contribute ideas, participate in co-design activities, or showcase good practice from across the WA sport sector.
The register will serve as a first point of connection for opportunities that arise through the delivery of the Parent Engagement Strategy and True Sport initiatives.
You'll have the opportunity to identify your areas of interest and/or expertise, helping us connect with the right people when opportunities arise.
Opportunities may vary in scope and commitment, and there is no expectation of ongoing involvement. Depending on your areas of interest and/or expertise, contributions could include:
- Sharing insights and perspectives on a particular topic
- Contributing to the development of resources such as the Sport Parent Playbook
- Participating in co-design or consultation activities
- Reviewing draft resources or providing feedback
- Providing expert commentary, quotes or case studies
- Showcasing effective programs, initiatives or practices
- Sharing research, evidence or lived experience
- Helping connect the sector with examples of innovation and good practice across Western Australia
Participation will always be considered on a case-by-case basis, and individuals can choose whether or not to be involved when opportunities arise.
By bringing together the voices of experts, academics, practitioners, operational delivery specialists, sector leaders and volunteers across the state, we can tell the stories of sport in WA and amplify our collective impact. |
| Join the Register |
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Help Shape the 2029 WA Bicentenary
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Western Australians are being asked to share their views on how the State should commemorate its Bicentenary year via a short online survey.
In 2029, Western Australia will mark 200 years since the establishment of the Swan River Colony, a significant milestone in the State's history but not the beginning of its story.
Feedback from the survey will help inform recommendations on the Bicentenary's themes, priorities and program, supporting respectful, inclusive and collaborative planning.
To complete the survey or find out more about the planning for the Bicentenary, visit the below link. The survey is open to individuals and organisations until 31 October 2026.
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AI is in the room. Is your board ready?
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Artificial intelligence is changing how sports organisations work, make decisions and manage information, but are boards and executives keeping pace?
BoardPro’s Governing with Impact in the New AI World Summit brings together directors, executives and governance leaders to explore what AI means for modern boardrooms and how organisations can embrace the opportunities while managing emerging risks.
Hear from leading governance experts and keynote speakers, including Megan Motto OAM and Adele Stowe-Lindner, on AI, leadership, accountability, risk and the future of governance, with practical insights you can take straight back to your club or association.
For sports organisations navigating stretched resources, increasing governance demands and rapidly evolving technology, this is a conversation your board cannot afford to miss.
Tickets are selling fast, and the Summit is nearing capacity. Book your ticket today and make sure your board is ready for what’s next. |
| Book Now |
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WA Cricket: FREE Virtual Athlete Wellbeing Workshops | Thursday 29th October via Zoom
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Butterfly Foundation are a long-standing national charity that works to prevent eating disorders and body dissatisfaction from occurring, and support those who are affected. WA Cricket is proud to partner with the Butterfly Foundation, and invites you to help foster confidence and connection in your cricket community. Register for these free online workshops during Women & Girls week now!
Being a BodyKind Athlete | Register Here
Junior Players aged 12-17 | 4.30pm-5.30pm
- What body image is and why it matters in sport.
- Key influences on body image; language, puberty, social media and comparisons
- The importance of challenging body ideals in sport
- How to support eating, movement and training
Body Confident Athlete: Coach the Coach | Register Here
Coaches, parents, coordinators, volunteers aged 18+ | 4.30pm-6pm
- Understanding body image in sport.
- What to do if concerned about a young person.
- Power of role modelling.
- How to foster positive, safe, inclusive sporting environments.
- Body Confident Athlete themes, facilitation tips
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Creating Healthy Participant Experiences Through Sport
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The Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport (CITS), in partnership with Sport Integrity Australia, is delivering a series of practical safeguarding workshops designed to help coaches, sport development professionals, clubs and volunteers create safe, positive and inclusive sporting environments for children and young people.
Whether you're working directly with participants, developing pathways, or supporting your club's governance and operations, these free workshops will provide practical tools and strategies to strengthen wellbeing, foster positive relationships, and embed safeguarding principles across sport.
Coaches & Sports Trainers WorkshopSaturday 17 October | 10:30am – 12:30pm
Gain practical insights into creating safe and positive sporting experiences, strengthening relationships with participants, and supporting athlete wellbeing.
Register here.
Pathways & Sport Development Staff WorkshopMonday 19 October | 9:00am – 11:00am
Learn how to embed safeguarding principles throughout participation pathways and development programs to ensure children and young people have rewarding sporting experiences.
Register here.
Community Clubs & Associations WorkshopMonday 19 October | 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Ideal for club committee members, volunteers and administrators, this introductory workshop explores practical approaches to creating safe, welcoming and inclusive sporting environments.
Register here.
Places are limited, so secure your spot today and help build safer, healthier sporting experiences for all participants. |
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The Digital Sideline: Online Safety for Young People in Sport
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The eSafety Commissioner, in partnership with SportWest, will deliver this practical and informative webinar exploring the evolving online safety landscape for young people in sport.
This webinar is being held during WA Children's Week (24 October to 1 November 2026), with this year's theme focused on Article 30: Children have the right to use their own language, celebrate their culture and practise their religion.
Topics will include:
- Current research, trends and insights into young people's online experiences in sport.
- Types of online harm affecting young people and the emerging risks including AI-related harm
- How to respond effectively to online safety incidents and support young people who may have experienced harm.
- Practical strategies, tools and resources available to sporting organisations, clubs, coaches, volunteers and parents to help create safer digital environments.
- Guidance on taking images, videos and livestreaming
This webinar is designed for:
- Sporting organisation and club administrators
- Coaches, officials and volunteers
- Board members and leaders
- Integrity, safeguarding and member protection personnel
- Parents, carers and educators working with young people in sport
This webinar will provide attendees with the knowledge, confidence and practical resources needed to better understand, prevent and respond to online harms, helping to create safer and more inclusive sporting communities for young people.
Date: Wednesday 28 October 2026
Venue: Online
Time: 9:00am-10:00am
Details: Webinar link will be emailed to participants on Monday prior.
Registration: Closes at 5pm Monday 26 October 2026
Cost: SportWest Members Free | Non-members $30 |
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Dispute Resolution Initiative | Meet the True Sport Preferred Providers
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When challenges arise, having access to the right expertise can make all the difference.
As part of the True Sport Dispute Resolution Initiative, SportWest has established the True Sport Preferred Provider List, connecting sporting organisations across Western Australia with experienced and independently vetted mediators, investigators and dispute resolution practitioners.
This week, we’re highlighting three of the professionals available through the initiative, each bringing a different area of expertise to support sporting organisations in navigating complaints, conflicts, integrity matters and disputes.
Rachel Burrows
Rachel Burrows is an experienced governance, integrity and risk professional with extensive experience in the sporting sector. She specialises in complaints management, investigations, dispute resolution, procedural fairness and governance matters. Rachel brings an independent, practical and balanced approach to resolving complex and sensitive issues, with a strong understanding of the challenges and operating environment of community and high-performance sport.
Venetia Bennett
Venetia Bennett is a commercial barrister, and is recognised as a leading legal practitioner in sports integrity, governance and disputes. She acts as counsel, investigator, mediator or arbitrator, has chaired disciplinary, grievance and appeals tribunals for state, national and international sports bodies, and is a Member of the National Sports Tribunal.
Venetia is an independent member of the WADA Executive Committee and is on the WA Advisory Board for Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Yvette Strawbridge
Yvette is an experienced mediator with 18 years’ experience in family and workplace mediation, alongside 34 years as a psychotherapist and extensive workplace experience, including management roles. She supports organisations with complaints and conflict resolution, using a transformative mediation approach focused on confidentiality, fairness and constructive outcomes. Yvette can also provide gender-balanced mediation with a male colleague where appropriate and agreed by all parties.
Explore the True Sport Preferred Provider List to find out more about the providers available to support your organisation.
Each provider has undergone a vetting process involving SportWest, CITS, a State Sporting Association representative and a legal representative. SportWest does not have any involvement in the services providers deliver, how they conduct their work or the outcomes of individual matters. |
| Explore the Preferred Provider List Here |
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Build Respect, Inclusion and Gender Equality in Your Organisation
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Sport and recreation organisations play an important role in shaping positive attitudes, behaviours and community culture.
The Respectful Relationships Sport and Recreation Program (RRSRP), delivered by Starick in partnership with SportWest through the True Sport Respectful Relationships Initiative, supports sporting organisations, recreation organisations and local governments to strengthen their approach to respect, safety, inclusion and gender equality.
Participating organisations will receive:
The program is offered at no cost and is designed to help organisations build safer and more inclusive environments for everyone involved in sport and recreation.
Group 6 onboarding is now underway, with the next workshop taking place on 27 October. Organisations interested in participating can contact the Starick Respectful Relationships Team.
Email: rrsrp@starick.org.au
Phone: (08) 9478 5300 |
| Find out more |
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