Football Victoria's (FV) Sophie Brynes has been chosen as one of seventy recipients to take part in the 2023-24 Change Our Game Professional Development Scholarships Program,.
The program supports women accessing professional development opportunities to develop and strengthen the specialist skills needed for their roles in the sport and active recreation sector. It helps place them in the best position to obtain and thrive in leadership roles.
FV Metropolitan Development Coordinator, Sophie Brynes said she was "extremely grateful" for the opportunity provided by the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation.
"I have been privileged to know so many amazing women to look up to, not only through my studies but also my career," she said.
"My passion has always been to help women and girls experience an inclusive and supportive sporting environment. I am humbled I now get the opportunity to extend my own professional development and in turn, continue working towards gender equality in sport."
Sophie will undertake a New Leader Development Course to gain skills and insights into effective leadership as part of the program’s Learning stream.
Director of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, Sarah Styles, said, "The Office for Women in Sport and Recreation congratulates this year’s program recipients and looks forward to seeing the impact of these opportunities on more women securing leadership roles across the sector.”
This year’s program recipients represent a wide range of sports and organisations, including lacrosse, lifesaving, basketball, cricket, sport climbing and disability sports, among many others.
Four streams of development opportunities to support women at every stage of their career were offered as part of this year’s program, from early careers through to aspiring and current executives and directors, including grants to complete professional development courses, access to leading career coaches to support aspiring executives develop their career pathway and skills, and access to a leading sports governance course.