MEDIA: An interview with Women on Boards

Women on Boards (WOB) is the leading advocate for improving gender diversity on Australian boards. Recently, Paula Ward sat down with WOB to talk about the evolution of Know The Game and growing the pool of corporate women for sports boards.

WOB - How did the idea for Know The Game evolve?

I was attending the 2009 WOB Conference. Over the course of the conference I was frequently asked why I was attending given I wasn’t focused on securing a directorship at the time. I explained that my motivation was a preparatory step - to identify what I needed to focus on and develop over a two to three year period to be best placed for future directorships. I have always been a planner!

These conversations got me thinking about the steps between early stage career development and being board ready. Much of this mid-phase of our careers is heavily influenced by (and sometimes dependent upon) the internal development we obtain from our employers. If the L&D offering is not well-rounded we may not develop the breadth and depth of skill and knowledge required for further progression.

I began contemplating ways to fill the potential skill and knowledge gap which may evolve during this period. A long list developed which, over time, narrowed to an area where I have a contribution to make that I believe will make an impact. 

WOB - What was your motivation for setting up Know The Game?

There was dual motivation:

* to provide a stepping stone that builds a knowledge base that contributes to people having a level playing field to maximise the opportunity for inclusion and engagement, and 

* to have a career opportunity that will sustain me for the long term professionally and personally, which enables me to combine my corporate skills with a passion for sport and the Australian culture.

WOB - How will Know The Game make a difference for women?

In the corporate arena, sport is frequently discussed - around the water cooler, across work stations, in meetings and around board room tables. It is often how rapport is built with colleagues, clients and senior executives. Being able to recognise what is being talked about and make a contribution can enable your inclusion.

In my career - which has predominately been in professional services and investment banking - it has helped. I am passionate about sport. I love watching sport, talking about sport and participating in sport. Sport is a natural point of conversation for me and it has enabled an immediate and easy reference point for conversations with senior executives. I have no doubt that the relationships I have built through discussion about sport has, in turn, helped my career; sometimes directly with invitations to sporting events to host clients which has led to networking and business development opportunities and, other times, indirectly in that I am front of mind when career/promotion opportunities arise.

Know The Game aims to increase women’s understanding of sport and provide a tangible way in which women can engage with their male colleagues and senior executives.

WOB - How do you see Know The Game influencing the representation of women on sports boards?

At a recent corporate lunch in Sydney, Kevin Sheedy (AFL Hall of Fame Legend and Coach of the newly formed Greater Western Sydney AFL team) highlighted women make up about 48% of the AFL’s membership base and around 36% of rugby league memberships. This substantiates women’s interest in sport.

However, the representation of women in sports management positions and on sporting boards does not reflect this grass roots membership base. Having said that, the number of women on sporting boards has grown in more recent years and WOB have been instrumental in enabling some of these appointment, for example, the 2009 appointments of Denise Aldous and Jenny Reynolds to the Cronulla Sharks Football and League clubs.

Anecdotally, there appears to be some hesitation from women as to whether they are well-positioned to assume a directorship for sporting clubs and associations.  A first step towards building the number of women in leadership roles in sport, is to know sport. Sport pervades our culture and the ability to talk sport is of value. Understanding sport and being able to comfortably converse about it presents a broadened arena for women to apply their business acumen and leadership capability.

Know The Game is positioned to increase women’s knowledge of and appreciation for sport. It is the first step to grow the pool of corporate women with the confidence to put their hand up for sports boards.

For more details about Women on Boards visit www.womenonboards.org.au