The program supports Victorian university researchers to identify tangible, evidence-based solutions to barriers for women and girls in sport and recreation.

It provides grants of up to $25,000 to eligible Victorian universities to advance research related to participation in community sport and recreation, women in sport leadership and the visibility of of women in sport.

Director of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, Sarah Styles, said that research has the potential to help solve some of the persistent challenges faced by women and girls in the sector.

‘The FIFA Women’s World Cup showed Australia what is possible when women and girls are given the opportunity to shine,’ she said.

‘Research funded through the Change Our Game Research Grants will play a pivotal role in unlocking even more opportunities for the future,’ she added.

SInce 2018, the program has funded 18 research projects to a value of more than $390,000 to address a range of issues impacting women and girls in sport and recreation.

A number of these projects have had a meaningful impact on the sports sector.

One such project, conducted by RMIT University’s Social and Global Studies Centre, explored the experiences of Muslim girls and women participating in sport and physical activity.

The research highlighted approaches to overcome barriers to participation that brought together girls, families, schools, communities, councils, sports clubs and policymakers to collectively enable more Muslim girls to take part in sport and physical activity.

Applications for the Change Our Game Research Grants Program close 5pm AEDT Monday 23 October.

For more information and to apply, visit Change Our Game.