Workplay - the AFL’s industry-first careers platform that connects AFLW players with flexible employment, career, and educational resources - has been recognised with the Best Wellness Initiative in Sports Award at the 2023 Ministry of Sport Awards on Thursday night.
The third annual Ministry of Sport Awards celebrates the best and brightest in elite sports business and recognises the year’s industry leaders, creative talents, bar raisers, trailblazers and barrier breakers.
The AFL industry was also nominated for two other categories in the Ministry of Sport Awards including a nomination in the Innovative Sports Technology Award for the AFL’s Gather Round mixed reality Welcome to Country in collaboration with KOJO, while Essendon Football Club’s Nick Ryan was nominated for the Administrator of the Year award.
Acknowledged by a panel of 40 independent judges from a diverse range of industries, Workplay was recogised for its work in empowering AFLW athletes to thrive on and off the field by connecting them with flexible employment opportunities and supporting them to simultaneously pursue their sporting aspirations and develop successful off field careers.
Since its launch in 2021, Workplay powered by John Holland, has connected more than 70 AFLW athletes to flexible work opportunities at partner organisations, including 20 athletes employed at John Holland.
In the last two years, the platform has grown to provide more than 150 jobs listings for players to pursue at more than 28 valued AFL and AFLW partner organisations including John Holland, rebel, Foxtel Group, NAB, Cotton On, and Telstra.
AFL General Manager of Women’s Football, Nicole Livingstone, said Workplay continues to play a crucial role in providing AFLW athletes with the tools to succeed on and off the field.
“The AFL’s Workplay platform is proud to be recognised by the Ministry of Sport Awards with the 2023 Best Wellness Initiative in Sports Award,” Ms. Livingstone said.
“The challenges facing female athletes across codes globally are consistent – having to balance work, study, family, and sporting commitments – and through Workplay’s flexible employment, education, and support offerings, we are playing our role in the creation of long-term, sustainable career pathways for women and girls in their chosen fields.
“We’ve already seen such strong growth in the platform and uptake in participants and partners coming on board in the last two years and we are committed to being leaders in this space to ensure AFLW athletes continue to thrive on and off the field.”
Workplay is available to all AFLW athletes in a bid to provide ongoing support regardless of whether they are currently playing or transitioning back into the workforce. Together, with the help of AFLW and AFL partners, Workplay is reimagining the future of women’s sport.
For more information, please visit workplay.com.au
