Cardinia Leisure Partners with Monash Health to Support Fair Access and Healthy Sports Clubs Across Cardinia Shire
Cardinia Leisure is further strengthening its partnership with Monash Health to support local sporting clubs across Cardinia Shire in aligning to the Cardinia Shire Fair Access Policy through the Healthy Sports Clubs initiative.
As part of Cardinia Leisure’s new contract with Cardinia Shire Council, all sporting clubs and associations that hire or use Cardinia Leisure stadium facilities are required to adopt the first step towards Fair Access Policy through the Healthy Sports Club initiative.
The initiative aims to promote and support the participation of women and girls in sport and active recreation by ensuring fair, inclusive and equitable access to community sporting infrastructure.
All affiliated clubs and associations must adopt the Healthy Sports Club initiative by December 2026.
Supporting Clubs Through the Healthy Sports Clubs Initiative
To assist clubs in meeting these requirements, Cardinia Leisure has partnered with Monash Health to provide structured guidance, practical resources and tailored support through the Healthy Sports Clubs initiative.
The initiative helps clubs:
Clubs can access comprehensive information and register via Monash Health’s Healthy Sports Clubs website:
https://monashhealth.org/services/health-promotion/healthy-sports-clubs/
Implementation Plan
Aligned Leisure affiliated associations and clubs will adopt the Healthy Sports Club initiative through a two-phase approach:
Phase 1: Foundation (Approx. 2 Months) – before end of Winter Season (30/09/2026)
Phase 2: Action Planning – before end of 2026 (31/12/2026)
This structured timeline ensures clubs are positioned to begin full implementation of their action plans in 2027.
Facility Hire Requirements
Cardinia Shire’s Fair Access Policy will be reflected in Facility Hire Agreements for FY 2026–27.
From 1 January 2027, court hire access will no longer be valid for clubs that have not aligned to the policy.
Cardinia Leisure is committed to working collaboratively with clubs throughout this transition. Each club will be appointed a dedicated Cardinia Leisure point of contact to provide tailored support, answer questions and help ensure a smooth and uninterrupted pathway to compliance.
Further Information
For questions or support relating specifically to the Healthy Sports Clubs initiative, clubs are encouraged to express interest via the Healthy Sports Club website, or contact:
Leona Kosowicz
Acting Healthy Sports Clubs Lead, Monash Health
[email protected]
This partnership reflects Cardinia Leisure’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive, healthy and welcoming sporting environments where everyone in the community, particularly women and girls can participate and thrive.
