There’s no denying Australia has seen a surge in women playing sports professionally. But despite their increased involvement, female athletes continue to earn significantly less than their male counterparts.
As women continue prioritising their sporting careers, many are seeking alternative employment opportunities to aid in financial stability, while providing fulfilment off the field and sustainable work to fall back on later in life.
But the juggling act of finding alternative career paths in the midst of demanding sporting commitments can often prove difficult. And given many jobs may require fixed office hours, aspiring and elite athletes are seeking flexible employment opportunities that can see them thrive professionally and personally.
WISE Employment is committed to raising the profile of women in sport and recognises the barriers many may face when managing dual careers. It aims to support the professionalisation of female athletes to constructively improve pay and equity for all, while encouraging them to explore alternative skill sets and areas of interest.
WISE Employment’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Ary Lauffer says there are many things to consider when pursuing an alternative career as a professional athlete.
“The average duration of a professional sporting career for women spans approximately five years, so it’s important we can champion females to pursue their passions outside of this too.”
“With a client portfolio of more than 200,000 and access to a host of employment opportunities, WISE is on a mission to bolster the careers of current and future sportswomen. We understand elite athletes require flexible employment arrangements that complement their lifestyles, so that’s where we can connect them with employers who not only accommodate, but encourage them to pursue both passions.”
As WISE marks its 30th birthday, it also celebrates three decades championing women in sport by partnering with a host of professional teams to assist athletes in finding sustainable employment.
One such athlete is Maddie Hinchliffe, Sunshine Coast Lightning netball player and recent WISE People and Culture Graduate. A pillar of inspiration for those interested in pursuing a career both on and off the field, Maddie has been equally committed to Netball and honouring her Human Resource studies by joining the team at WISE.
“I feel so fulfilled in both my sporting and HR career. And while at face value they may seem completely different, I’ve been really surprised by how well they compliment each other. It’s been interesting to see how transferable the skills are across the two professions – from working with a team, to building resilience and working on my communication skills. These are all things I can offer to both my netball teammates and colleagues at WISE,” says Maddie.
A key priority for the employment provider in partnering with sporting clubs is elevating the profile of female athletes to champion the next generation of sportswomen. WISE is on a mission to inspire young Australians who may not see sport as a career option to think otherwise.
Given 50 per cent of WISE’s clients are women, including female-identifying and non-binary people, amplifying female exposure to sport is critical to providing a positive impact on the wider community.
Ary says WISE challenges the boundaries many women face when it comes to playing a sport professionally, rejecting the archaic narrative ingrained throughout our society for a very long time.
“There’s no denying we’ve progressed in leaps and bounds when it comes to championing and supporting women in sport, but we collectively have a long way to go and WISE is at the forefront of that change.”
And Maddie says that progress doesn’t have to happen solely on the field.
“Finding a pathway in sport doesn’t have to be physically playing the game – it could be exploring the business or commercial side, or even umpiring. One of my favourite phrases is ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’, so we really do need to show young girls first hand that a career in sport is very possible and very fulfilling.”
“We need to provide exposure to young girls to keep them in sport from an early age. Whether you’re playing a social or elite game, there are so long-term benefits that many don’t realise,” says Maddie.
Her coach Kylee Byrne says the support WISE Employment has demonstrated throughout the year enabled Maddie to be completely present in her training, knowing her work situation was completely taken care of with the support of an understanding employer.
“Elite level sport can be all-consuming, so having a safe space to spend time away from training and match preparation is really important. The mental refresh is a crucial part of an athlete performing at their very best,” says Kylee.
Ary agrees that women who play sports generally have higher levels of self-expression and self-esteem, and lower rates of depression.
“The community aspect – being part of a team and building comradery with fellow players – can significantly improve body image, mental health and physical wellbeing,” he says.
“Without proper investment – time, money, support and resources – we don’t know the real potential of women’s sports, and it’s WISE’s mission to change that.”
“My advice for women who are planning on making sport their career is to consider a two-pronged approach – educate yourself and solidify your career to pursue your sporting goals. Listen to those brilliant women who were trailblazers before you, be true to yourself and don’t think for a moment that this may not be a possibility for you,” says Ary.