Supporting the Next Generation of Women Leaders in South Australian Sport

If you are a woman involved in sport in South Australia, whether you are coaching a junior netball team on Saturday mornings, volunteering at your local athletics club, or sitting on a sporting board, there is a leadership development opportunity that could genuinely change the direction of your career. Applications for the 2026 intake of the Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Centre for Women and Leadership in Sport are now open, and the deadline is coming up fast.

Applications Are Open Now

The MJN Centre has officially opened applications for its 2025/26 cohort, with the program expected to commence around July 2026. Applications close on 2 June 2026, so if this sounds like something you or someone you know should explore, now is the time to act.

You can find all the details and apply directly at mjncentreforwomenssport.com.au.

What Is the MJN Centre?

The Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Centre for Women and Leadership in Sport is a South Australian leadership and development program created specifically for women across the sporting sector. Developed by Sport SA in partnership with government and sector leaders, it is described as the first program of its kind in Australia.

The Centre is named after Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, an Olympic gold medallist, sporting trailblazer and former Governor of South Australia who spent decades advocating for women and community leadership. Her legacy gives this program both its name and its purpose: to open doors, build confidence and create lasting change.

The mission is straightforward but ambitious: to bridge the gender gap in sport and empower women at every level, in every role, across every corner of the state.

Every Sport. Every Level. Every Woman.

One of the most important things to understand about the MJN Centre is how broad and inclusive it is. This is not a program just for elite athletes or high-profile sporting figures. It is designed for women across the full spectrum of sport, including:

• Athletes
• Coaches
• Officials and umpires
• Administrators
• Volunteers
• Board and governance members

The program welcomes women from metropolitan and regional South Australia, from community sport and elite sport alike, whether they are emerging leaders or experienced professionals looking to grow further.

If you have ever thought "something like this probably isn't for me," it is worth reconsidering. Leadership in sport is broader than playing, and the MJN Centre is built on exactly that understanding.

To be eligible, you need to be:

• A woman aged 18 or older
• A South Australian resident
• Working or volunteering in sport, or intending to do so
• Supported by an organisation through a letter of support and a financial commitment (scholarship support may be available where needed)

What Participants Actually Experience

The program runs over 12 months and combines structured learning with real-world connection. Participants work through core learning modules covering topics such as:

• Finance and budgeting
• Media and communication
• Leadership and culture
• Mental wellbeing and influence
• Diversity and inclusion
• Sporting integrity and health
• Personal and professional development

Perhaps just as valuable as the structured learning is the network. The program brings together approximately 40 to 50 women each year, creating a cohort of peers, mentors and industry connections that participants carry with them long after the program ends. Access to other women in sport, experienced leaders and professional networks is often the part of the program that participants reflect on most.

Why Programs Like This Still Matter

Women's sport in Australia has made remarkable progress over the past decade. Crowds are growing, media coverage is improving and female athletes are receiving the recognition they deserve. But the picture at the leadership, governance and decision-making level is still not where it needs to be.

Women remain underrepresented in leadership positions across the sporting sector. Female participation does not yet translate into equal visibility or influence behind the scenes. Programs that deliberately invest in developing women's skills, confidence and networks are not just nice to have. They are essential to building a sporting culture that genuinely reflects the people it serves.

The MJN Centre is one of the most meaningful responses to that challenge in Australia.

Apply Before 2 June 2026

If you are a woman in South Australian sport, or if you run a sporting organisation and have women in your community who would benefit from this kind of investment, we encourage you to explore the MJN Centre further.

Visit mjncentreforwomenssport.com.au for full eligibility details, application requirements and information about scholarship support.

Applications close 2 June 2026. Program commencement is expected around July 2026.

At Lucky Squares Australia, we love seeing community sport thrive, and that means supporting the people who make it happen. If your club or organisation is looking for a fun and easy way to raise funds to support members through programs like this one, a Lucky Squares grid fundraiser could be just the thing. Head to Lucky Squares Australia to find out how we can help your community get fundraising.