WOMEN and girls across South Gippsland are being encouraged to play their way, that highlighted by the successful South Gippsland Play Well Expo on Saturday at Splash in Leongatha.

The free community event brought together clubs, volunteers and community members to celebrate women and girls in sport, supported by South Gippsland Shire Council with assistance from the Australian Sports Commission’s Play Well Participation Grants program.

The Play Well initiative is part of a nationwide movement to break down barriers and ensure everyone has a place in sport, regardless of background or experience.

Locally, the program focuses on increasing opportunities for women and girls in traditionally male-dominated sports such as Australian Rules football and cricket.

GippSport partnered with South Gippsland Shire Council to deliver the event, which featured hands-on activities, club demonstrations, and a Gippy Girls Can Confidence Lounge intended to spark 
reflection and conversation about confidence, participation and belonging in sport.

“When women share their stories and cheer each other on, it inspires others to get involved too,” GippSport’s Nicole Osborne said.

Local trailblazers came together through the Community Voices Panel, sharing their stories of leadership, persistence and passion for sport.

“It was inspiring to hear about the challenges that have been overcome to get women’s sport to where it is today,” Gen Anderson of Leongatha Town women’s cricket team said.

For younger girls, the event was a reminder that sport is a space for everyone.

“I enjoyed being on the panel and sharing how we got our team started,” Violet, a member of Nyora’s Under 14 girls football team said, looking forward to what lies ahead for girls in sport locally.

For more information on how to get involved, please visit gippsport.com.au/playwell or contact Gene Parini at gene@gippsport.com.au.