Mentoring Program

Mentoring is a proven and practical way to encourage the participation and advancement of women in the workforce. The creation of supportive ‘role-model’ based relationships allows a more experienced individual to guide, encourage and support the mentee as she strives to achieve identified aspirations and goals.

Successful leaders regularly cite their mentors as having played a critical role in their career success. Mentors can also open doors that might have otherwise been closed.

Over the past several years, WSA’s Mentoring Program has provided opportunities for hundreds of women to form mentoring partnerships with senior female and male sports leaders.

The program begins with a Women in Sport Mentoring Workshop which has traditionally been delivered face to face however, as we navigate a COVIDsafe world and work to expand the reach of our program to more locations across the country, we have decided to deliver these workshops online in 2021.

Following the workshop mentees are then matched with mentors – further information on the program structure can be found below.

Dates were finalised for our online workshops which were held in March, May, July and September. You can express your interest in programs that will happen in 2022 by clicking here.

We are also thankful that funds from our partnership with Shona Joy will be used to subsidise the price of the program to make it more affordable for participants in 2021.

We are also excited to be offering several Shona Joy Scholarships to offer the opportunity to complete the mentoring program fully funded.

The scholarship includes a fully subsidised WSA Women in Sport Mentoring Program, one-on-one mentoring sessions with a senior leader, a 12 month WSA Membership and access to WSA networking and exclusive events. 

Applicants will be selected on the strength of their application in demonstrating how this opportunity will further their career working in sport and there will be one scholarship available in each State and Territory for the 2021 Mentoring Program.

Applications for The Shona Joy Scholarship are now closed. Applications are being reviewed and the outcome will be communicated to applicants in early July.

Program Structure

Mentees are assessed and carefully matched with mentors to maximise the learning and development.

Mentees attend a Professional Workshop focusing on:

• Being a Confident Leader
• The Art of Networking
• Boards and Committees
• Career Pathways

There are three one-to-one sessions between the mentor and mentee and regular program communication provides guidance to mentors and mentees, ensuring progress is made.

The program concludes with an evaluation to assess how well it has met expectations and assist future enhancement.

Mentee Commitment

• Attendance at the Professional Workshop
• Pro active engagement with your mentor and participation in the program
• A minimum of three meetings between the mentor and mentee

Benefits

• Provides a supportive environment for personal development and increases self-esteem and confidence
• Provides mentees with new skills, industry knowledge and a personal development plan and pathway options
• Advances career opportunities with the establishment of professional networks

Costs

The 2021 Women in Sport Mentoring Program fees are as follows (all fees are inclusive of GST):

Individual fee: $250 per participant

This fee has been reduced from previous years thank to support from Shona Joy. The program fee also includes a WSA Membership.

Shona Joy Scholarship: Applications are closed.

Become a WSA Mentor

The WSA program is made possible through the generous support of WSA members, partners and associates who volunteer their valuable time as mentors. It’s an opportunity for them to give back to the sporting community and support our next generation of female leaders in sport. If you are interested in becoming one of our WSA mentors, click the link below.