A young woman from Mosman is helping shape the future of sport for girls across New South Wales, following her appointment to the Minns Labor Government’s first-ever Teenage Advisory Committee, an initiative under the Play Her Way Strategy.
Valante Socratous, 19, is one of just eight young women selected state-wide to join the committee, which will advise the NSW Government on improving opportunities and retention for girls in sport.
“Given that the future of women’s sport in Australia lies in the hands of the young women that aspire to be great, I believe the Advisory Committee will give me a real avenue to help turn this vision into reality,” Socratous said.
The committee was established in response to a significant participation gap, with research showing a 23 per cent drop in sport participation among girls aged 15–17 compared to boys. It aims to bring the voices of teenage girls directly into the conversation, helping shape programs and policies that better reflect their needs and experiences.
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper praised the initiative as a “fresh approach” to government strategy.
The committee members, aged 16 to 19 and from diverse locations and backgrounds, will work alongside government officials over the next four years as part of the broader Play Her Way plan to ensure every girl and woman in NSW can “play sport her way.”
