About the Leadership Programs
The City of Melbourne is excited to provide two community sport leadership programs in 2026:
- City of Melbourne Community Sport Leadership Program: open to anyone who is involved in community sport and recreation in the City of Melbourne.
- City of Melbourne Women's Leadership Program: open to anyone involved in community sport and recreation in the City of Melbourne who identifies as a woman or as gender diverse.
The program is designed to be attended by club committee members, aspiring committee members, coaches and volunteers.
Sessions will be delivered as a mix of in-person and online. Catering will be provided for in-person events.
Session dates
City of Melbourne Community Sport Leadership Program
- Wednesday 25 March – 6.30pm to 8.30pm, in-person at Brens Pavilion, Parkville
- Wednesday 22 April – 6.30pm to 8.30pm, in-person at Brens Pavilion, Parkville
- Wednesday 29 April – 6.30pm to 8.30pm, online
City of Melbourne Women’s Leadership Program
- Wednesday 25 March – 6.30pm to 8.30pm, in-person at Brens Pavilion, Parkville
- Wednesday 1 April – 6.30pm to 8.30pm, online
- Wednesday 22 April – 6.30pm to 8.30pm, online
- Wednesday 29 April – 6.30pm to 8.30pm, online
About the course
City of Melbourne Community Sport Leadership Program
Over 3 sessions, participants will explore topics about:
- Multicultural awareness
- Respect
- The power of imagery in marketing and promotion.
City of Melbourne Women’s Leadership Program
Over 4 sessions, participants will explore topics about:
- Multicultural awareness
- Confident communication and conflict resolution
- Financial literacy
- The power of imagery in marketing and promotion.
How to apply
Complete the online application form that can be found below. You must ensure that a letter of support is provided as part of your application.
The accompanying letter of support should be provided by your community sport club or recreational group, and include the following information:
- The applicant’s position within the community sport club or recreation group.
- The length of time the applicant has been involved at the club or group.
- How participating in this course will benefit the applicant and the community sport club or recreation group.
The letter must be signed and dated by a club or group representative (community sports club or recreational group president, vice president, secretary, treasurer or program administrator).
Please limit the supporting letter to one page. Applications without a letter of support attached will not be considered. Applicants cannot endorse their own application.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to participate in the Community Sport Leadership Programs, you must satisfy all of the following criteria:
- Currently involved in a paid or volunteer capacity at a City of Melbourne based Community Sports Club or Recreation Program. This can be in the capacity of a player, coach, official or volunteer.
- Able to demonstrate that you have a genuine interest in supporting the governance of your community sport club or recreational group.
- Able to commit to all sessions applicable to their chosen leadership stream.
- Have access to a computer or laptop and internet.
- Only people who identify as a woman or as gender diverse are eligible to apply for the Women’s Leadership Program. The Community Sport Leadership Program is open to everyone.
- Willingness to complete a feedback survey at the conclusion of the leadership program.
Diversity of applicants
The City of Melbourne encourages applicants who reflect the diversity of our community to apply. This includes female identifying people who are:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
- multicultural
- LGBTIQA+
- living with a disability.
If you believe you will require any assistance in completing this course, please discuss with Sven before submitting your application at sven.venning@melbourne.vic.gov.au or 0403 176 824.
Important dates
Application dates
- Applications open: Wednesday 4 February 2026
- Applications close: Wednesday 11 March 2026
- Applicants advised on outcome: Thursday 19 March 2026
Course dates
- Wednesday 25 March 2026
- Wednesday 1 April 2026 (Women’s Leadership Program only)
- Wednesday 22 April 2026
- Wednesday 29 April 2026
Application form
About Fair Access
The Fair Access Sport and Recreation Allocation and Use Policy and Action Plan was endorsed by City of Melbourne in June 2024.
Fair Access in the City of Melbourne has a primary focus on women and girls and acknowledges the multiple interacting experiences of individuals that need to be considered to improve participation in community sport and recreation. This include, but are not limited to, cultural and ethnic background, sexuality, age, gender, socioeconomic status, education level, occupation, ability, faith, and beliefs.
Our response to the roadmap aims to build capacity to identify and eliminate systemic causes of gender inequality, ableism and cultural bias in policy, programs, communications, and community sports and recreation services delivery.
