The Minerva Network has announced a new two-year agreement with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) to deliver a structured mentorship program designed to support new board directors in sporting organisations across Australia.
Reflecting a shared commitment to gender equity, the collaboration will establish a new initiative that expands on Minerva’s successful mentoring program for female athletes to also support women and gender diverse sport boards directors to help set them up for success and empower them to impact and thrive in governance roles.
“We know that access to experienced mentors and networks can make a significant difference to confidence, contribution and long-term retention in leadership roles,” said Minerva NSW Co-Chapter and Sports Governance Lead Belinda Rowe.
“This agreement will connect new directors with experienced mentors and networks, helping them navigate complex board environments and contribute effectively to strengthen sports governance.”
The Minerva Sports Governance Mentoring Program will deliver a structured 12-month mentoring program for newly appointed or elected eligible directors on National Sporting Organisation (NSO) boards and National Sporting Organisations for People with Disability (NSOD) boards.
This new mentoring initiative builds on Minerva’s existing Sports Governance Program, which currently supports almost 400 participants across the country, including both Minerva mentors and athletes. The program is designed to grow and strengthen the pipeline of capable and confident women sports board directors. Minerva’s program is already delivering valuable networking and learning events, board training opportunities through leading third-party providers including AICD and Deloitte, and proactively promoting sports board opportunities.
Through the agreement with the ASC, Minerva will add a new structured one-on-one mentoring program, mirroring the successful mentorship model Minerva has been delivering for Australia’s leading female athletes for the past nine years.
ASC Executive General Manager Sport and Community Capability Richard McInnes said gender equity and highly capable women directors contributing to the leadership is essential to the long-term success of Australian sport.
“We know that greater diversity and capability on sporting boards strengthens sport for everyone and helps ensure people feel like they belong.”
“This program is an important step and continues our commitment in building a strong, inclusive pipeline of leaders ready to shape the future of sport in Australia.”
In the first year of the two-year program, up to 30 places will be available to newly appointed or elected women and gender diverse NSO and NSOD board directors. Each will be paired with a Minerva Mentor who has significant governance experience to support and guide the new director through the early stages of their board role and set them up for success.
The Minerva Sports Governance Mentoring Program will commence in mid-2026, with applications scheduled to open in June for eligible board directors.
Minerva mentors with governance experience interested in supporting the new program can email contact@minervanetwork.com.au for more information.
New NSO & NSOD directors who are eligible and interested in learning more about the opportunity to apply for the program can email sportsgovernance@ausport.gov.au
