The National Sports Council (NSC) successfully hosted a 2-day mentorship ‘Women Leadership through Sport for All’ virtual workshop on 24th and 25th February 2022.
Targeted for women athletes and young women in decision making bodies in sports, the Oceania-based workshop aims to develop leadership skills through aspects of sports – train local women leaders in Sport for All and physical activity delivery.
The capacity building initiative is offered by ‘The Association for International Sport for All’ (TAFISA), Fiji National Sports Commission and supported in partnership with the International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport based in New Zealand.
NSC Board Member, Lysa Wini stated that participants were excited to access such programs. These programs are made possible because NSC sees the importance of engaging more women in leadership but most importantly such programs like TAFISA supports public sports, which is another core function of NSC – to promote sports for recreational and healthy lifestyle purposes.
Ms Wini explained that the week’s program specifically is for women mentors and mentees selected based on strong leadership and mentoring skills, experience in managing a project, former athlete or a role model for young women in the country.
As NSC continues to build its membership, it looks forward to offering more programs for its members and Solomon Islanders as a whole.
“We now have a core group of passionate young women mentors and we look forward to influencing the next generation of mentees in future programs. Women are gifted to nurture and we need to use that strength to build a strong active Solomon Islander as they aspire for their goals in life,” Wini stated.
“As former athletes, sports administrators, this program made us realize that sports are not only competition but sport is keeping active for a healthy life. A country that is physically active is a healthy country.
“A lot of our health issues are closely related to low physical activity. Now with Covid-19 pandemic, we need to be more innovative to build a network of sporting bodies and mentors who can promote sports and physical activity as a critical solution for a better health."
Wini thanked the Fiji Sports Commission, TAFISA for providing the opportunity, a first of its kind under NSC, while confirming the next program will target young female mentees.
NSC is located at the Centre Point building and we look forward to working with our members and the general population of Solomon Islands as we continue building our Solomon Islands.
Source: NSC/SINIS Media Release