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Similar speeches: 28-May-08

Launch of Westfield W League

In a country that idolises its sporting heroes, women's sport doesn't receive the profile that it deserves & I'm determined to change this.

Australia produces a remarkable number of truly inspiring and amazing female athletes.

They deserve to be recognised and celebrated as the heroes that they are and household names they should be.

We need them to become high profile role models, in part to encourage young girls to maintain healthy and active lifestyles.

In May this year, I released a paper titled 'Australian Sport: emerging challenges, new directions' which identifies the promotion of women in sport as a key priority for the Australian Government in this portfolio.

The directions paper says that women's sport in Australia was stuck in a cycle of poor media exposure - leading to less coverage, less sponsorship and fewer remuneration opportunities.

The cycle must be broken - and the Westfield Women's League is a giant leap forward.

For a country that loves to celebrate our sporting achievements it is fundamental that we give all Australians recognition of achievement and sporting heroes to inspire them.

That is why the Australian Government is committed to women's sport and the W-League.

Recently we committed an additional $32 million in funding over four years to the Football Federation of Australia.

This includes $16 million to help FFA field eight national teams including the Matilda's, Young Matilda's and Women's Under 17s.

We've also pushed for a higher profile of women's football, coming through with our $16 million election commitment to support the growth of football including a televised national women's league.

And we're not the only ones that want to see the W-League succeed  the sponsorship investment by Westfield not just in the W-League, but in all areas of women's football in Australia, is a great boost for the game.

Funding from the Australian Government and from Westfield is a great example of a public-private partnership which will support the W-League, the National Girls Championships and the brilliant Matildas.

Before I hand back to Adam (Spencer) to introduce the W-League and Matildas players here today, I'd like to mention participation levels in sport - and why I think the FFA and the Westfield W-League is so important in maintaining the popularity of football in Australia.

The 2006 'Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey' by the Australian Sports Commission and the state and territory governments found that participation in outdoor football has remained relatively stable over the last five years and was the ninth most common activity with 697,400 participants.

Of those, 177,500 were female. The statistics are compelling.

The FFA reports that there has been a 6.3% average growth in participation in women's football over the last 10 years.

And the Australian Sports Commission has been advised of up to 20% increases in participation in women's football in particular regions throughout Australia.

But with the overall level of activity down across the country, I'm sure you'll agree that any moves to help boost participation in sport are for the better.

Australia has a long and proud sporting history but to maintain our position, and to enhance it, change is a must. The Rudd Government believes as a nation we must re-apply ourselves to the pursuit of sporting excellence.

At the same time the Government also believes that sport plays a crucial role in developing a vibrant, healthy nation and that sport can be a powerful, uniting force for all Australians.

To stand still is not an option.

Being involved in this competition puts you at the forefront of women's sport in Australia.

Congratulations to FFA and Westfield.

And good luck to all involved for the inaugural season's kick-off on 25 October - I know I'll be watching.

Thank you and good afternoon.

ENDS

LAUNCH: WESTFIELD W LEAGUE

FOOTBALL FEDERATION OF AUSTRALIA

BONDI JUNCTION, SYDNEY

28 JULY 2008

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