Sports clubs: It’s time to Play Our Way
Local sports clubs are the beating heart of Australia’s proud sporting culture. But too many women and girls — especially those from underrepresented communities — continue to face barriers to participation.
The Play Our Way program is here to break the cycle.
Launched to tackle the underrepresentation of women and girls in sports at a grassroots level, Play Our Way works directly with local sports and fitness clubs to build inclusive, supportive environments. The aim is to foster environments where all women and girls feel they belong, regardless of their background, identity, or life journey.
Why Play Our Way matters
Local sports clubs are more than just places to train and compete: they’re spaces for finding community, enjoying connection, and unlocking potential for growth.
But for many women and girls, especially those who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, culturally diverse, or LGBTQIA+, or who are from low socio-economic backgrounds, these spaces don’t always feel welcoming.
Through direct capacity-building, funding, and partnership, Play Our Way is helping clubs welcome more women and girls by:
- Creating inclusive spaces to ensure that every woman and girl, regardless of her identity, feels welcome, included, and safe.
- Driving lasting change by laying the foundation for long-term participation and addressing systemic barriers to access.
- Supporting them to lead the way in community development and positioning them as recognised leaders in inclusion, wellbeing, and community development.
Whether you’re a small community team or a large multi-sport club, you can be part of this movement toward equality in sport.
Onkaparinga Rugby Club are playing our way
The Play Our Way program has already started to change the game for women at Onkaparinga Rugby Club.
Sonder’s Financial Operations Manager, Tony Fitzsimmons, is a life member of the club. He has been involved with its activities for over 40 years.
Tony tells a story that many sports teams will find familiar.
“Five years ago, our women’s team won the Premiership,” Tony says. “Then, lots of players got busy with family and work the following year, so the side disbanded. Three years ago, we got it back up and running with a very young side, but we just couldn’t get enough players to commit due to the cost and other life pressures.”
But that all changed when Tony heard about Play Our Way.
“With Play Our Way’s support, we can provide half-price fees, professional coaching sessions, rehabilitation therapies, and team bonding activities. We have a team of about 25 now that get better each week.”
Onkaparinga Rugby Club’s Team Co-Captain Grace Fitzsimmons echoed Tony’s sentiment.
Grace says, “The program has helped our women’s team connect with the juniors in our club. It’s helping them see a future pathway in the sport.”
Jade Pilkinton, also a Co-Captain, highlighted the sense of community the program has created.
“This grant covers costs that ease financial pressure on our players,” Jade says. “All players can participate fully and make use of shared team gear, creating a strong sense of belonging for everyone.”
And for players like Heather Coutts, Play Our Way means the difference between stepping off the field and staying in the game.
“Play Our Way has enabled me to continue to play Rugby this year after a massive injury,” Heather says. “Coming back through the rehab process, costs were really getting high. Assistance to cover my fees and training uniform allowed me to continue playing the sport I love.”
With cost-of-living pressures on the rise, busy lifestyles, and increasingly disconnected communities, programs like Play Our Way have never been more important.
“We are so fortunate to have this grant,” Heather says. “Without it, I don’t think our team would have been able to compete this year. So, on behalf of the team, thank you for supporting Women’s Rugby and helping us strive for a finals appearance.”
Get involved in Play Our Way
Local sports clubs of all types and sizes can Play Our Way. Any club that offers sport or physical activity can apply, from football and netball to martial arts and athletics. The only prerequisite is a commitment to making your environment more inclusive for women and girls.
Whether you’re starting small or ready to make big changes, you can help lead the way to a more inclusive future for community sport in South Australia.
To get involved, email playourway@sonder.net.au or call us on (08) 8209 0700.
To learn more, visit sonder.net.au/play-our-way.
Play Our Way is funded by the Australian Government.