The Future is Female: Inside the NSWRL’s Women In Sports Leadership Program
In a world where sport is rapidly evolving—turning from a male-dominated arena to a playground where women kick butt too—Carolyn Campbell, the NSWRL director, stood in front of a gathering of fierce, determined women, and essentially said, “The world is your oyster!” I mean, if life were an oyster, it’s time for these ladies to get shucking!
Today, at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park, Campbell reinforced the opportunities available to these women through the NSWRL’s 2024 Women In Sports Leadership (WISL) program. “You will see things you want to change, things you want to be,” she proclaimed, which sounds a bit like a motivational poster, but hey, who doesn’t love a good poster? Especially if it comes with benefits!
With 21 women from 10 different sports enrolled in this 20-week course—which started off as a shiny program for female coaches back in 2021 but has since decided it’s time to expand its horizons—the initiative is really piling on the opportunities. Executives, managers, officials, coordinators—you name it, they’re all here, representing sports as diverse as Rugby League and lawn bowls. Yes, I said lawn bowls! Because apparently, getting a bowl in the right spot after 48 cups of tea is a competitive sport too!
Campbell has a glittering 35-year career that includes stints as a physical education teacher, sport administrator, and CEO of Scouts NSW (which, let’s face it, sounds like a gang of over-caffeinated teens running through the woods with questionable leadership). Speaking to the attendees, she didn’t hold back on sharing her two cents, and they were worth every penny!
“Be yourself and back yourself. You don’t have to be anybody else, just you,” she advised. Wise words, because as much as the world loves a little impersonation, nobody really wants a cheap knockoff of a vintage classic, do they? Be the original, own your quirks, and if you trip over your own ego, at least you fell forward!
As for leadership advice, here’s the kicker: surround yourself with a personal board of directors. No, that’s not a fancy dinner gathering, but rather a small group of trusted pals who won’t just tell you “you’re incredible” but will challenge you. This sounds remarkably like the best book club ever where instead of discussing novels, you pick apart your career decisions while drinking overpriced wine. Who’s in?
She emphasized the importance of understanding before jumping to action—take a moment, breathe, and let the cringe-worthy moments flow away. It’s all well and good until someone makes an awkward comment over coffee, making you question your life choices (sorry, Karen, but your take on gluten-free bagels was not necessary). And when opportunities arise, grab them, don’t stand there like a wallflower at a high school dance! “Never let a chance go by!” she declared, and she’s 100% right. Opportunity doesn’t wait, and neither should you.
The 2024 WISL program isn’t just pointing fingers and playing the blame game; it’s filling a substantial niche in a sector craving diverse perspectives. Participants will complete modules that offer nationally-recognised credits toward a Diploma or Certificate IV in leadership and management. Yes, they will walk away with certificates to hang on their walls, and hopefully not just as decoration, but as badges of honour!
As they prepare for graduation next year, there’s no doubt that this program is stirring the pot of female representation in sports leadership. Because let’s face it, the more women stepping into leadership roles, the more we can shake things up, redefine norms, and show the world that women know precisely how to get things done—while looking fabulous.
So, hats off to Carolyn Campbell and the NSWRL for steering the ship towards a future where women grab the reins and lead. The world of sports awaits these inspiring leaders, and let’s be honest, with this kind of training, they’ll just be letting themselves loose on a field filled with opportunities!
In the end, remember—if the world is an oyster, go out there and find your pearl!
NSWRL director Carolyn Campbell engaged with a diverse group of female leaders in Sydney today, emphasizing the vast opportunities available to women and offering extensive guidelines designed to empower them in the evolving national sports landscape.
“The world is your oyster. You will see things you want to change, things you want to be. In all those things believe in what you want to achieve,” Campbell passionately advised the participants enrolled in NSWRL’s 2024 Women In Sports Leadership (WISL) program at the prestigious NSWRL Centre of Excellence located at Sydney Olympic Park.
“There’s so much out there as sport is growing continuously. You can see it in increased rates of registrations and participations each year,” she noted, highlighting the expanding horizons for aspiring female leaders in the sporting arena.
This year, 21 ambitious women from 10 diverse sports are embarking on the rigorous 20-week WISL course, originally designed to support female coaches when it first launched in 2021, but now has broadened its focus to accommodate various leadership roles within the sports sector.
Among the 2024 WISL cohort, participants include executives, managers, officials, and coordinators representing a multitude of sporting organizations across disciplines such as Rugby League, athletics, surf life saving, tennis, touch football, basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, lawn bowls, and football, showcasing the program’s wide-reaching impact.
The NSWRL-funded program is in partnership with the University of New England (UNE) and is tailored to recognize and address the unique barriers women face in attaining leadership positions within elite sports. It presents an invaluable training platform aimed at propelling the career development of its participants.
“This program fills a big niche that was missing in our sector and in the interactions we have,” Campbell stated, reinforcing the significance of such initiatives in empowering women in sports.
With 35 years of rich experience in the sporting world, Campbell’s extensive background includes serving as a physical education teacher in Perth before advancing into influential administrative positions in sports including netball, basketball, volleyball, and hockey. She has held prominent roles such as the Chair of Sport NSW and a Director on Venues NSW, and she currently serves as the CEO of Scouts NSW while having captained the Under 21 Australian hockey team.
Today, Campbell imparted crucial tips that have guided her throughout her professional journey, encouraging participants to adopt a self-authentic approach: “Be yourself and back yourself. You don’t have to be anybody else, just you.”
“There’s nothing I can tell you today to prepare you to make those decisions. And at times you might have to have difficult conversations like ‘I really don’t want to do this’,” she added, underscoring the importance of staying true to one’s values, especially when faced with crossroads in one’s career.
“But your clarity about who you are, how you want to spend your time, and where you want to put your energy are your best assets,” she stressed, reinforcing the essence of self-awareness in leadership.
“Another tip is to have a personal board of directors, or in other words surround yourself with key people with certain skills, who might be able to assist you,” Campbell recommended, signifying the value of a strong support network.
“It’s critical to take some time out to give yourself the space to deal with whatever it is that might be difficult,” she advised, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection in navigating challenges.
“And never let a chance go by. Nearly every role in my working career is because a chance came up and not because I sat down and plotted a path,” she concluded, inspiring the participants to embrace opportunities as they arise.
This marks the fourth intake of participants for the WISL program, which comprises two Diploma and Certificate-level modules that provide participants with nationally-recognized credit towards a Diploma or Certificate IV in leadership and management. They will complete their studies in December, followed by a ceremonial graduation early next year.
**Interview with Carolyn Campbell, NSWRL Director**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Carolyn. It’s exciting to see the launch of the 2024 Women In Sports Leadership Program. Can you tell us about the vision behind this initiative?
**Carolyn Campbell:** Absolutely! The vision of the WISL program is to empower women in sports leadership roles. We want to create an environment where women feel confident to step up, share their ideas, and make significant changes in their respective sports. With sport continuously growing, it’s vital that women have a seat at the table and are leading the way.
**Editor:** The program has evolved since its inception. What prompted the decision to expand its focus beyond just female coaches?
**Carolyn Campbell:** When we first launched the program in 2021, it was primarily aimed at supporting female coaches. However, we soon realized that there was a broader need for leadership training across various roles within the sports sector. We now have participants who are executives, managers, and officials from diverse sports, which reflects the vast opportunities available to women in sports leadership.
**Editor:** You’ve emphasized the importance of believing in oneself and backing one’s vision. What advice do you have for women who may be hesitant to pursue leadership roles in sports?
**Carolyn Campbell:** My key advice is to be true to yourself and surround yourself with a supportive group—a personal board of directors, if you like. Seek out those who will challenge you and provide honest feedback. Embrace your unique qualities and don’t be afraid to take risks. Remember, it’s all about seizing opportunities as they arise; don’t wait for the right moment—create it!
**Editor:** That’s inspiring! Can you share what participants can expect to gain from the WISL program in terms of development and opportunities?
**Carolyn Campbell:** Participants will complete a rigorous 20-week course that offers nationally recognized credits toward a Diploma or Certificate IV in leadership and management. Beyond the qualifications, they will gain practical skills, valuable networking opportunities, and the confidence to advocate for themselves and their peers in the workplace. It’s not just about earning a certificate; it’s about building a foundation for a robust career in sports leadership.
**Editor:** Carolyn, what impact do you hope this program will have on the future of sports leadership in Australia?
**Carolyn Campbell:** Our hope is that this program will close the representation gap in sports leadership. The more women we have in these roles, the more perspectives we bring to the table, leading to innovative and inclusive decision-making. Women have proven time and again that they can excel in leadership positions, and this program is just a stepping stone towards a future where that is the norm, not the exception.
**Editor:** Thank you, Carolyn, for sharing your insights with us today. We’re excited to see how the WISL program unfolds and the impact it will have on women’s leadership in sports!
**Carolyn Campbell:** Thank you for having me! Let’s keep pushing forward and making strides for women in sports. The future truly is female!