Case Study: Sheroes - Tennis NSW
Overview
Sheroes aims to empower women in tennis and provide them with opportunities to learn, develop, and grow as leaders. Showcasing the stories and successes of women in tennis across NSW.
The project targeted women over 18 years who play leadership roles in tennis but are not typically in coaching positions. It aimed to increase the volunteer network, promote women in leadership, and create off-court pathways for women in tennis.
Bringing together the tennis community through social networking, events, and access to industry leaders. By providing resources, tools, webinars, workshops, and conferences exclusive to Sheroes.
Visibility of women leaders to aspire participants to follow their pathways
Engagement mode private Facebook group to create a safe and respectful environment
Sustaining connections beyond the project through dedicated Facebook group for supportive exchanges
‘Bounce’ learning and development resources platform
Results
Successfully creating a platform for women in the sport to connect with each other, observe women in leadership positions, facilitate positive and supportive conversations to upskill and ability to assume leadership positions.
- 268 Sheroes are currently registered to the Sheroes Network August 2022
- 7 Sheroes local participation projects
- 131 additional women and girls provided local participation opportunities
- 100% of projects are set to continue.
The development of a junior version of the program, the expansion aims to further engage young women and girls in tennis and provide them with similar learning and development opportunities, scheduled for launch in 2023.
Challenges
- Significant impacts of COVID-19 with no gathering of people allowed and many tennis clubs closed for an extended period
- Timing and engaging Sheroes in learning and development did not seem appropriate in light of challenges many were facing within their club, business and personal environments
- Premier event in our Sheroes calendar, the ATP Cup in Sydney was cancelled and moved to Melbourne.
Evaluation
- 268 Sheroes registered August 2022
- 56.5% Metro (152)
- 21.9% Central NSW (59)
- 13.3% Northern NSW (36)
- 7.8% Southern NSW (21)
- High engagement on Sheroes closed Facebook group (Jun 2020 to Feb 2022)
- 392 post, 2,130 comments and 9,603 reactions
“The biggest, most significant change is seeing the landscape in tennis in New South Wales change for the better in terms of the women actually feeling like they have a place within the sport to be able to connect, and to have opportunities to continue to upskill themselves, but then have such impact. We’ve got some club presidents that are now women, and we’ve got some head coaches that are women.”
- Program Administrator
Sheroes has successfully created a supportive network and provided resources to empower women volunteers in tennis. Fostered leadership development, built capability, and encouraged greater participation by showcasing successful women leaders.
Further Information: Sheroes