Women & Girls’ Development Program and Pre & Post Solo Scholarships

The VSA supports Clubs which encourage women and girls to take up gliding, and individual female pilots to attend competitions and coaching events.

Financial support is offered under three options:

1. Clubs – Women & Girls’ Development Program: A grant to VSA Clubs to implement a Women & Girl’s Development Program.  Open to any VSA Club which establishes a flight training program specifically for a group of women and girls.
2. Club – Individual Pre & Post-Solo Scholarship: There are individual scholarships available for  women and girls who are actively advancing to solo stage or have reached solo stage and wish to advance to obtain the Glider Pilot Certificate (GPC) to train with that Club.  Clubs are encouraged to seek out suitable candidates to apply for scholarships via the Club.  The VSA would expect no more than two scholarships in one Club at any one time.  If there is additional demand the Club will be encouraged to adopt a women and girls’ development program.
3. Individual – Event Attendance:  Individual women and girls may apply to the VSA for funding to attend competition and coaching events (e.g. Joey Glide, Horsham Coaching Week etc.)

The VSA budget for these initiatives depends on available funds and is largely subject to grants funding obtained from Sport and Recreation Victoria.  Applications are likely to be competitive.

How to Apply

Club – VSA Initiative Funding Request Form or

Individual – Women & Girl’s Funding Request Individual Template.

The applicable form must be completed and sent to the VSA Secretary for consideration.  Early applications are encouraged.

Guidelines

1. For the Club – Women & Girls’ Development Program the VSA will agree with the Club an appropriate level of funding on the number of female pilots involved and program planned by the Club.

2. The Club – Individual Pre & Post-Solo Scholarship will subsidise the direct costs of flight training (launching and glider hire) up to $1000 for aerotow clubs and $500 for winch clubs.

3. The Individual – Event Attendance program will provide funding of up to $1500 for an individual female pilot to attend a recognised international competition or up to $750 for a National competition or up to $500 for a State competition or coaching event.

4. Female pilots in receipt of funding under any of the programs are expected to:

• • • Provide an interview for the VSA Newsletter and/or Gliding Australia magazine
    • Publicise their experiences to women and girls via social media to broaden the appeal of gliding to other women and girls.
    • Be available for appearances and to assist at Club or VSA marketing events
    • Maintain a level of activity which ensures consistent training progress noting that there will be times when educational study has priority.

5. Clubs making applications are expected to:

• • • Provide additional subsidies to female pilots either on flying rates, club membership or both.
    • Hold the VSA funds in trust and utilise them to reimburse flight training expenses.
    • Ensure the female pilot achieve a satisfactory rate of progress.
    • Provide the VSA with an acquittal of expenses per student at the end of 12 months.
    • Return any surplus monies if the student discontinues the program.
    • Provide VSA with a report of involvement in volunteer activities.

6. The VSA supports family participation, where possible, in order that the female pilots are given ongoing encouragement and recognition

7. Female pilots will be responsible for their GFA and Club membership fees.

8. In any one calendar year, a female pilot can only receive funding under one option. All funding is for a 12 month duration from the date of being awarded.  Request for extensions of time and/or funding will be considered.

9. The amount of funding provided is at the absolute discretion of the VSA.