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Active women and girls

The City of Melbourne supports women and girls in sport and recreation, ensuring everyone feels safe, welcome and included – regardless of age, ability, or background. 

Check out this page for programs, events, policies and more – specifically for women and girls!

A young girl rollerblading with knees bent and arms outstretched.

On this page

How much exercise do girls and young women need?

Regular physical activity supports physical health, confidence, mental wellbeing, learning and long-term health. Girls and young women aged 5 to 17 years should aim for:

  • At least 60 minutes of physical activity every day
  • Activity should be moderate to vigorous — enough to raise the heart rate and breathing
  • Include activities that strengthen muscles and bones at least 3 days per week
  • Limit long periods of sitting and break up screen time where possible

Physical activity can include sport, dancing, walking, cycling, swimming, active play or structured exercise.

Fair access

In June 2024, City of Melbourne endorsed the Fair Access Sport and Recreation Allocation Policy along with the Fair Access Action Plan, to help address the inequalities women and girls face when accessing community sport and recreation opportunities across the municipality.

The Fair Access Policy aims to provide fair and equitable access for a range of under-represented communities in recreation and physical activity, with a particular focus on women and girls. It seeks to increase both the number and diversity of women and girls participating in recreation and benefiting from physical activity at the City of Melbourne's community sport infrastructure.

Fair access

Explore

Two sportswomen celebrating an act of sporting excellence

About Fair Access

Read more about the background of our Fair Access Policy.

Fair Access Policy

Download our Fair Access Policy.

Fair Access Action Plan

Download our Fair Access Action Plan.

Fair Access Scorecard

See how we're tracking with female participation in recreation and sport.

Women's only programs

City of Melbourne recognises that women and girls often face barriers that limit their opportunities to participate in sport and recreation, and as a result they are significantly less active. To address this, Council has supported a number of women-only programs designed to encourage participation in safe, inclusive, and enjoyable environments.

B-ALL-IN has been designed by Basketball Victoria to provide a non-competitive, social and flexible entry-point to basketball for women and gender-diverse people who may not have participated in the sport before, or even those who have, but want to get out and have some fun.

Kensington

For more information and to register, please visit B-ALL-IN basketball training for women External link.

City Swimm(h)er is a weekly women’s only swimming program designed for women and girls from culturally and linguistically diverse communities to enjoy the pool in a safe and inclusive environment.

The program designed to build skills and confidence in the water and connect with other community members. It also aims to increase the participation of young Muslim women in pool-based exercise, recreation and water safety, by creating a welcoming, inclusive and culturally safe environment for the whole family.

Visit Women's only swimming program for more information and enquiries.

Futsal 4 Life is proud to offer women’s-only competitions, creating a safe and welcoming space for players of all levels. We put the playing experience first – having fun is at the heart of everything we do!

Kensington

For more information and to register, please visit Kensington Women's – Futsal 4 Life External link.

Learn to skate in a social and positive environment with girls’ skateboarding lessons. Have fun, try new things and make progress, improve your fitness, coordination and balance. You’ll build your confidence and resilience too.

Lessons are run by experienced skateboard coaches who will help you learn skateboarding stances, styles and terms. Skateboarding is super fun and exciting, and you’ll get to hang out with other girls and young women who love to skate.

Go Girls

Progression Session

The Huddle Up! Senior women’s only program is a free women’s only basketball program run in conjunction with The Huddle and Helping Hoops. The program welcomes young women aged 12 to 25 who live, work, or play in the City of Melbourne.

Kensington

For more information and to register, please visit Huddle Up! Senior External link.

The Big Issue’s Street Soccer Program for Women offers a free, supportive way to look after your wellbeing through regular physical activity and social connection. Sessions are open to women of all ages and abilities, with a focus on feeling healthy, building confidence, and enjoying movement in a relaxed, non-competitive setting. Taking part can help improve fitness, reduce stress, and create a sense of belonging through shared activity. Sessions are run by a female coach in an all-female private space.

Everyone is welcome – no experience needed, and there's no registration or commitment requirement. Join us to benefit from gentle exercise, positive social interaction, and a safe, inclusive community.

  • Date/time: Every Thursday from 1pm to 3pm.
  • Venue: North Melbourne Community Centre, 49-53 Buncle Street, North Melbourne

Contact El on 0406 833 404 for more information.

Women of all ages and fitness levels can keep active and meet like-minded women in the gym.  

Facilitated by female instructors who can assist with the gym equipment, these sessions are conducted in line with cultural and religious backgrounds.  

Find these women's only one-hour gym sessions in North Melbourne and Carlton.

North Melbourne

Carlton

A diverse, empowering, fun, and engaging program based on youth interests and activities such as cooking, arts, crafts, sports and so much more. Underground Women’s is for young women aged between 12 and 25 who live, work, or play in the City of Melbourne.

North Melbourne

Carlton

Community sport for women

Dragon boating is a fun and fast-paced water sport activity. This club welcomes all breast cancer survivors and their special supporters. No experience is required, and members from all over greater Melbourne are encouraged to get involved.

For more information and enquiries, visit Dragon Abreast Melbourne Pink Phoenix Dragon Boat Club External link or email  melbournepp@dragonabreast.org.au

                                                   

The Kensington City Soccer Club fields one adult women's soccer club affiliated with Football Victoria. The club welcomes women of all ages and abilities from beginners through to experienced players at JJ Holland Park in Kensington.

For more information or enquiries visit the Kensington City Soccer Club website External link or email kensington.city.soccer.club@gmail.com

The Kensington Junior Netball Club (KJNC) has over 30 teams, welcoming kids of all genders aged 6 to 17. Whether your child is just starting out or looking to compete at a high level, they have a team to suit every skill level, from NetSetGO all the way up to the top-division 17&U team in the Parkville league.

Most teams train at Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre, while some train at North Melbourne and the State Netball Centre in Parkville.

For more information or get started with a free trial, please visit the KJNC website External link or contact KJNC directly.

Handball is a combination of three sports including soccer, netball and basketball. It's fun, fast-paced, and exciting to watch from the sidelines.

Melbourne Handball Club was the first handball club to be established in Melbourne. The club currently caters for women and girls over 16 years of age and welcomes both beginners and experienced players at the Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre External link. 

To learn more and for enquiries, visit the Melbourne Handball Club External link website.                                                

Melbourne Softball Association is pleased to be able to provide the opportunity for individuals to enjoy softball in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, situated in a great environment at Fawkner Park, South Yarra. 

The association provides the opportunity for anyone interested in fun, fitness and friendships to participate in their competitions, development programs and activities which are accessible to all, no matter their age, experience, skill or ability level.

Choose to play softball, slow-pitch softball or t-ball.

For more information and enquires, visit the Melbourne Softball Association website External link or email enquiries@melbournesoftball.org.au

The Royal Park Ladies Golf Club holds weekly 18 and 9-hole competitions on Tuesdays from February to November at Royal Park Golf Course External link in Parkville. The club welcomes beginners through to experienced players who are willing to share their knowledge and skills with their fellow members.

For more information and enquires, visit the Royal Park Ladies Golf Club website External link. 

Sports and recreation

our acknowledgement

  • Torres Strait Islander Flag
  • Aboriginal People Flag

The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. 

 

We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.

We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future.