Baseball enthusiasts interested in helping increase women’s participation in the sport are invited to nominate for a new “Women and Girls Working Group” announced at Baseball Victoria’s Annual General Meeting last night.
Both men and women are eligible to be part of the new group, which aims to address a steady decline in participation numbers and team entries for female baseball players.
Applications will be assessed based on the individual’s capability, commitment, and enthusiasm to work collaboratively to improve participation of women and girls’ baseball in Victoria. Final membership numbers will be based on quality of applicants.
In addition to addressing the decrease in females playing baseball, the group will review outcomes from the Women’s and Girls Forum last April and provide recommendations. It also will work on formulating a pathway that trains and develops our female participants and keeps them playing baseball.
“This working group will play an important role in formulating how Baseball Victoria and its members can address the issues in women’s and girls’ baseball,” General Manager Ashley Blair said.
“It will also help formulate the strategies and structures to be put in place to increase female participants and ensure the future success of female baseball players in this state.”
The group’s primary objectives include:
Meeting on a bi-monthly basis, the group will be chaired by Baseball Victoria Board Director Sonia Heath and include Women’s Program Officer Bronwyn Gell; four key members from the Women and Girls Forum; a standing open invitation to the president and general manager of Baseball Victoria and consultation from the broader forum if needed.
“This new group represents an exciting new chapter for women’s baseball in Victoria and I look forward to being part of a team committed to driving participation in women’s sport,” Sonia Heath said.
Selected individuals will have the necessary skills and expertise required to achieve the group’s objectives; are available to attend all scheduled meetings and willing to consult broadly and be appropriately informed on all agenda items; will uphold confidentiality standards and will display no member-based representation or bias.
Any and all issues and progress updates and recommendations will be made from the group to the Baseball Victoria board.
Please send all nominations to Baseball Victoria General Manager Ashley Blair. All applications will be reviewed and assessed by Sonia Heath and Blair.
The deadline for submitting an application is close of business on Friday 4 March 2016.
Photo courtesy of Springvale Baseball Club.