The presidency at Women Sport Australia (WSA) has seen a smooth transition with the election of Helena Dorczak as the new President after Gen Dohrmann’s successful six-year tenure on the Board. The official transition occurred during the WSA Annual General Meeting on October 4, 2023, signaling an exciting phase for the organization. Under Dohrmann’s stewardship, WSA emerged as a prominent advocate for gender equity in Australian sports, bolstering its standing within the not-for-profit sector.

Dohrmann’s tenure saw a proactive pursuit of gender parity in sport, encompassing initiatives such as mentoring programs, Women in Sport Photo Action Awards, the Gender Equity in Sport Pledge, and extensive industry roundtables. Additionally, strategic collaborations, such as the partnership with Cadbury resulting in $150,000 of uniform grants for grassroots clubs across Australia, marked a commitment to drive tangible change within the sports landscape.

Helena Dorczak, assuming the role of President, brings a wealth of experience from her notable career in football, including key positions with the Australian Professional Leagues, Sydney FC, and Football Australia. With a comprehensive understanding of the sporting ecosystem, Dorczak emphasizes the need for gender-neutral opportunities in sports for women and girls at all levels.

In this transition, the WSA Board welcomes two accomplished new members, Holly Bailey and Laura Byrnes. Bailey, the founder of Play Like a Girl Australia, champions leadership programs promoting personal and professional growth for girls through sport. On the other hand, Byrnes, drawing from her extensive experience in motorsport and her role as a fierce advocate for women in the field, brings a unique blend of skills and perspectives to the WSA Board.

The WSA community looks forward to the leadership of Helena Dorczak and the fresh perspectives brought by Bailey and Byrnes, as the organization continues to champion the cause of gender equity and inclusivity in Australian sports.

Helena Dorczak Bio

Helena is Chief of Staff at the Australian Professional Leagues (APL), where she leads the delivery of APL’s strategy, working closely with the wider executive team to make football Australia’s most entertaining sport. She is responsible for the development of the A-Leagues’ strategy for A-League Women and is also a keen football player and former manager and coach of amateur teams.

Helena has held roles across football, including with football’s governing body (Football Australia) and with Sydney FC (the A-Leagues’ most successful club) where she was General Manager, Commercial Strategy.

At Sydney FC, she managed the commercial strategy and execution of their multi-million dollar sponsorship portfolio and Centre of Excellence project – Sky Park and led the expansion of the Sydney FC Foundation, the Club’s charitable arm. Since 2019 she has also been a member of Football Australia’s Women’s Council, a 10 member council with a charter to ensure equality in football for women and girls.

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Photo Courtesy Women Sport Australia

Courtesy Women Sport Australia