Women Leaders in Paddle

Paddle Australia (PA) has successfully secured an organisation grant through the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC) Women Leaders in Sport Program to support our Women Leaders in Paddle initiative.

The ASC is dedicated to support organisations who are looking to increase the representation of women in sport to better reflect Australian society and create a fairer and more inclusive environment. Through this funding, the Women Leaders in Paddle program aims to enhance leadership competencies and the self-confidence of women through professional development opportunities that might otherwise not be available to them. 

To reflect the diversity of our community, PA encourages women from diverse backgrounds to apply, including, but not limited to:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
• culturally and linguistically diverse
• LGBTQ+
• people with a disability
• people who live in rural and regional locations

The funding will support our women leaders with two training opportunities: 

Online Masterclass

Presenter: Carol Fox

Carol is an accomplished leader and expert in the fields of elite sport performance, emergency services, leadership, and teamwork. With over thirty years of experience, Carol has worked with numerous organisations and individuals, guiding, and inspiring them into effective, powerful, community-shaping action.

Workshop information: This workshop will equip the rising leaders in our sport with the skills and confidence they need to become high-performing leaders. It is designed specifically for emerging leaders who are eager to enhance their effectiveness in leadership, team dynamics and other interactions. The program empowers them to eliminate self-doubt and cultivate the self-confidence needed for positive and productive engagements. 

The program will help emerging leaders to go from: 

• Lacking confidence in meetings to openly contribute confidently.
• Having ineffective feedback practices to having a framework for providing feedback in all situations.
• Negative responses under pressure to positive solutions.
• Overwhelmed and fatigued to structured and proactive.
• Challenges in connecting with others to build rapport easily.
• Unclear communication to effective and clear communication.

Cohort one (10 participants): 10am-1pm – Saturday, 11th & 18th May (participants must attend both sessions)

Cohort two (10 participants): 10am-4pm – Wednesday, 11th September

What is involved: 2 x 3-hour or 1 x 6-hour online masterclass (per cohort of 10 participants) plus 5 weeks of follow-up tips and guidance.

Eligibility: Participants must, be over 18 years old, identify as a woman, a registered member of PA and in a leadership position with their club, state, or national committee/board.

How to apply: Women Leaders in Paddle Online Masterclass Nomination Form

Nominations will close Monday, 15 April 2024 and participants will be notified of the outcome Monday, 22 April 2024.

Terms and Conditions: The masterclass will be delivered via Zoom and participants will need to have the appropriate internet connection and device to access the program. Participants will need to attend all sessions they 

Face-to-Face Course 

Presenter: Margot Foster

Margot has experience on a wide range of boards bringing her knowledge and insights to governance education with a highly practical focus. She has practised law for over 34 years and is a board governance specialist through her consultancy Boardroom Excellence, featuring her signature program The Boardroom School.

Workshop information: This workshop will focus on how to be an effective director. It will look to build governance and leadership capacity of the participants through practical techniques.

What is involved: 3.5-hour workshop delivered in conjunction with the National Paddling Forum in November. Workshop capacity is 20 participants.

Eligibility: Participants must be over 18 years old, identify as a woman and be on a State Paddle Association (SPA) Board, PA Discipline Technical Committee (DTC)/Advisory Group or an individual endorsed as a potential candidate for these leadership positions.

How to apply: An endorsement process through SPA EOs and PA DTC/Advisory Group Chair’s will be communicated closer to the workshop.

Terms and Conditions: Travel and other expense will be the responsibility of the individuals, but it is hoped that SPAs will cover the costs for the candidates that they nominate.  There will be an option to attend online, however, participants will gain more from the experience if they can attend in person.

Participants may register for both the online masterclass and face-to-face training if they meet the eligibility criteria.

If you need support or have any further questions, contact Naazmi Johnston – naazmi.johnston@paddle.org.au