Women’s Health Goulburn North East will host the “inclusion and diversity workshop for sporting clubs” in Wangaratta, to be facilitated by Williamstown Football Club board member Michelle Redfern.

She also works as a diversity advocate and has written about inclusion of women and girls as participants and behind the scenes of sport.

“One of the things that really concerned me, and other administrators in our club, was the attrition rate of young women from the sport, typically around 14 years of age,” Ms Redfern wrote on her website.

“One of the other things that concerned me was how many of my daughter’s friends played no sport whatsoever.

“Now, with my work anchored in gender equality in sport, I want to start the conversation about the benefits of participating in sport for girls and young women.”

WHGNE’s Caitlyn Hoggan said Ms Redfern was “very experienced and very knowledgeable in this space”.

The goal of the workshop is to help make sporting clubs more inclusive and family-friendly.

“Most clubs would be wanting more players and volunteers, we’re looking to how we can support more participation across all levels,” Ms Hoggan said.

“It’s important to make sure that all of the club is represented.”

Representatives from all sporting clubs in the region are invited to participate in the workshop, in the hope their committees and leadership teams could become better represented with women.

It comes after a “respect and equity” forum was held in Wangaratta in June.

“Sport is such a powerful tool within rural areas and the community just lives and breathes sport,” Ms Hoggan said.

The workshop will be held at the HP Multipurpose Centre on August 29 from 5.30pm, to RSVP email c.hoggan@whealth.com.au.