Susan Alberti donates $1m to women in sport program
A mega $1 million funding boost from an iconic Melbourne west philanthropist to Victoria University will spearhead a new research program for women in sport.
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A mega $1 million funding boost from an iconic Melbourne west philanthropist to Victoria University will spearhead a new research program for women in sport.
Victoria University last week announced Dr Susan Alberti, former Western Bulldogs Football Club vice-president, had invested the generous figure in establishing The Susan Alberti Women in Sport Chair.
The donation is set to create opportunities for female athletes to succeed on the national sporting stage.
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Experts will undertake extensive research, including gathering global and local insights, in a bid to get more women active and employed in the sector.
“Everyone knows I’m passionate about sport as a way for women to make our community more cohesive and improve health outcomes,” Ms Alberti said.
Professor Clare Hanlon, renowned for her commitment to breaking down barriers for women in sport, will take on the inaugural role as chair.
Her role will include tapping into health, education, sporting clubs and government policy in order to increase female participation.
The announcement coincided with the launch of the university’s new sport strategy, which aims to address the imbalance between the number of women active in sport compared to men.
Statistics from VicHealth showed sport participation rates for men were almost double that of women.
AFLW Western Bulldogs player Ellyse Gamble, who studies education at the university, said the funding would encourage more women to get involved in sport.
“The increase in support and resources means more pathways will be able to be provided to young girls,” she said.
“When I was growing up there weren’t many pathways in the footy landscape for girls … but I feel much more supported now.”
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