Athlete mentoring programme launched to tackle the attrition of female teens in sport

“Today is International Day of the Girl, which seemed like the perfect opportunity to present our new venture to the world.” James Liley – Founder & Director, Carbon Mentoring Pty Ltd.

“On August 26th 2020 I watched Professor Rochelle Eime of Victoria University present the findings from her latest research study, “Longitudinal Trends in Sport Participation and Retention of Women and Girls.” The striking takeaway from the research re-confirms that female secondary school aged girls are the group at highest-risk of leaving sport or dropping out of sport completely. While adult female athletes are well catered for across the sport mentoring and coaching industry, there are no programmes available to support our most vulnerable athletes – our teenage girls. Carbon Mentoring will address this gap and help reduce female talent attrition from sport.” Liley, J

Carbon Mentoring Pty Ltd is a dedicated not-for-profit platform delivering a unique mentoring programme designed to pair teenage female athletes in male dominated sports with an elite or professional female mentor in the same sport.  The programme is committed to reducing the attrition rate of females in sport across their teenage years. Mentors are coached in mentoring skills using the Australian Sports Commission Mentor Training framework. 

“We have had a great response with mentors quickly engaged for our first cohourt of Victorian rugby union mentees including Wallaroos and SuperW players such as Alana Thomas (Ex Wallaroo & current SuperW Coach), Georgia Cormick (Current Wallaroo), Melanie Kawa (PNG's first female professional rugby player, 7s Coach and SuperWs co-captain) and Meretiana Robinson (SuperWs co-captain). Raelene Castle, co-founder of Minerva, an athlete mentoring network for women, sits across the mentor panel as a coach and advisor.” Liley, J

"If you can see it, you can be it! It is really important for teenage girls to see other females being successful, particularly in traditionally male dominated sports. Women’s sport is in such a growth phase around the world, we need to ensure that this continues and that young girls remain involved. Being mentored is so powerful.” Alana Thomas, Melbourne Rebels SuperWs Coach on why she agreed to join Carbon Mentoring as our Mentor Coach.

Following the pilot programme among Victorian Rugby Union athletes, Carbon Mentoring will expand into supporting teenage female athletes participating in other traditionally male dominated sports such as AFL, Cricket, Football and Motorsport.

“Women and girls participate in sport at much lower rates than boys and men and participation specifically for females drop off significantly during adolescence. The Carbon Mentoring program provides a great opportunity for females in male-dominated sports to be mentored by female sports role-models and hopefully lead to improved retention of female players across different sports.” Professor Rochelle Eime, PhD Professor of Sport Participation - Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University

Notes to Editors:

About Carbon Mentoring Pty Ltd

Carbon Mentoring Pty Ltd is a dedicated mentoring programme designed to increase the retention of female sporting talent and support young athletes to achieve their personal goals while staying connected with their sport. A significant issue that needs addressing as part of the solution to greater female representation at elite competition level, in coaching positions, sports management, board directorships and the wider leadership community is the massive attrition of athletes from sport during their formative years.

Comment below or message us if you are interested in partnering with Carbon Mentoring, wish to become a Mentor or Mentee or would like further information on the Carbon Mentoring athlete mentoring programme.

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