The Office for Women in Sport and Recreation will was introduced at the government’s inaugural Female Friendly Facilities Symposium at the MCG on Friday.

The office has been designed to create welcoming and safe environments for girls and women in all sporting establishments.

The office will implement the nine Game Plan Inquiry recommendations from the recent Inquiry into Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation and deliver further Change Our Game initiatives to increase participation and enhance leadership opportunities in sport for females.

Minister for Sport John Eren said the government is “changing the game for women in sport.”

“It is not good enough to have women and girls changing in the back of cars to play the sports they love,” Mr Eren said. 

“It is unfair – that’s why we are fixing it.”

More than 300 new girl’s and women’s teams have been established in 2017.

Minister for Women Fiona Richardson said the increased demand is terrific for women.  

“You only need to look at this year’s AFLW to see the powerful effect female participation in sport has had in challenging stereotypes – it’s little wonder the next generation of women are banging on the doors of local clubs.”

“We are also taking steps to support women in leadership roles, in both elite and grassroots sport, on and off the field.”

The government are investing $6.2 million to level the playing field for women, including education and cultural change initiatives, annual leadership scholarships and strengthening female friendly coaching efforts.

The new Office for Women in Sport and Recreation will also focus on identifying the policies and infrastructure required across Victoria to create female and family environments.