Richmond is pleased to announce a new partnership with VicHealth: investing in an exciting initiative set to not only increase the profile of women’s sport, but create new opportunities for Victorian women and girls to partake in sport and physical activity.

One of 19 sporting organisations selected, Richmond will support VicHealth’s This Girl Can - Victoria campaign by working closely with the health promotion foundation to continue to raise the profile of women’s sport and tackle key barriers to women being active.

Not only will a variety of female ambassadors share their stories to help inspire others, but a number of Club driven initiatives aim to connect the campaign with our fans and wider Tiger community.

“We are thrilled Richmond Football Club has been chosen to support VicHealth in this brilliant campaign and are fully committed to inspiring and supporting women and girls to get active,” said Richmond CEO, Brendon Gale.

“On the back of our VFLW licence and approval for an AFLW licence in 2020, this is another significant step forward in helping create equal opportunities for females to enjoy all the benefits sport and physical activity provides,” added Richmond’s AFLW football operations manager Kate Sheahan.

“I’m so excited to be involved in such a wonderful project,” said Di Rance, Richmond ambassador and mum of All Australian captain and Premiership defender, Alex.

“I’ve played basketball most of my life, but as I’ve got older, many of my peers have dropped out of sport and I want to encourage them to come back; as much for the social benefits as physical.”

Added fellow ambassador and Yorta Yorta Elder, Aunty Pam Pedersen. “It’s not how you look, it’s not how good you are, it’s that you’re out there doing it and it feels great!”

VicHealth announced $6.7 million in funding to 19 sporting organisations, designed to get more Victorian women and girls healthy and active over the next three years.

Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy and Minister for Sport, John Eren have backed VicHealth’s new investment.

“Participation in sport and physical activity is the key to better health and wellbeing,” said Minister Hennessy. “This new funding will deliver more opportunities for women and girls to get involved in grassroots sports and physical activity.”

Minister Eren added, “Victoria is leading the way when it comes to leveling the playing field for women’s sport and this funding will ensure that momentum continues – encouraging even more women and girls to play the game they love.”

VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said the funding represents the organisation’s biggest ever investment in female sport, which will deliver a range of new opportunities, especially designed to help Victorian women and girls get involved in sport and physical activity – including those who’ve never played sport.

“A recent VicHealth survey found that nearly three quarters (74%) of Victorians believe seeing women play sport at an elite level motivates women and girls to get physically active, highlighting the importance of raising the profile of women’s sport,” Ms Rechter said.

“Celebrating sportswomen and sportsmen equally sends such an important message – that everyone can be active, regardless of their gender. We want more Victorians knowing women’s sport matters, and we want to inspire more women and girls to get physically active and involved in sport, throughout their life.”

As part of the new program, Richmond joined all funded sporting organisations in signing a VicHealth Gender Equality in Sport Leadership Pledge, demonstrating the Club's commitment to achieving gender balance in all public events and marketing, and prioritising access for women and girls with Club facilities.

“Gender equality and increasing female participation in sport is a crucial component of a healthy community. It benefits not just the girls who have the opportunity to continue playing sport to the highest levels, like their brothers and friends, but all clubs and organisations, from the volunteer through to the Boardroom, are enriched for having more women and girls involved,” added Gale.

Find out more about the This Girl Can Victoria campaign by visiting thisgirlcan.com.au and you can join the supportive This Girl Can community on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.