Member Spotlight: Belinda Dutton

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Belinda Dutton

For Belinda Dutton, sport has always been part of the fabric of life.Growing up in a family that loved and lived sport, her involvement was a natural progression. From playing netball as a child to coaching junior teams as a teenager, Belinda’s early experiences were shaped by strong role models; particularly her dad, who inspired her to step into leadership from a young age.

As an adult, Belinda found her passion in running, completing multiple marathons and discovering the power of sport as both a physical and mental outlet. One of her most defining moments came after the birth of her first child, when she set herself the goal of completing a comeback marathon within a year. Despite being told it might be too much, Belinda followed a steady, supported return to running, crossing the finish line with her baby in her arms. A powerful reminder of what women can achieve when they back themselves.

Today, Belinda’s impact extends far beyond her own participation. As a physical education teacher and through her work with Active Schools, she focuses on building connections between schools and communities, helping create pathways for young people to engage in sport. As a mum, she also supports her children on their own sporting journeys, with a strong commitment to inclusion and access for all.

Belinda’s passion for sport is grounded in its ability to change lives.Having witnessed the confidence, connection and wellbeing sport brought to her siblings and community, she is a strong advocate for inclusive participation —regardless of race, religion, ability or access. This belief has shaped her career and continues to drive her leadership.

Empowered to Lead

Joining the Empowered to Lead program felt like a natural nextstep for Belinda. Having already played a key role in increasing female participation through school-based structures, she wanted to further develop her leadership skills and embed practices that support the transition of girls from school sport into community sport.

The experience exceeded her expectations. For the first time, Belinda gained a deep understanding of her leadership style and felt that it was recognised, supported and celebrated. The program challenged her thinking, sparked personal growth and reignited her desire to create meaningful, lasting change for women and girls in sport.

One moment that stood out was the final session, where participants wrote a letter to themselves. For Belinda, this reflection was transformative.It reinforced that she doesn’t need to change who she is to be an effective leader. By leading authentically, she now feels confident to grow, make an impact and truly soar.

Since completing the program, Belinda has already put her learnings into action. She introduced leadership style profiling within her workplace, creating opportunities for deeper understanding, stronger collaboration and more effective team foundations.

Looking Ahead

Belinda hopes for a future where creating opportunities for women and girls in sport and leadership is no longer a conversation because it’s simply embedded in everyday life. A world where all individuals can thrive, lead and succeed in sport.

Looking ahead to 2026, Belinda sees herself expanding her leadership further, collaborating with community partners and delivering inclusive practices that celebrate women and girls in sport. With renewed confidence, competence and belief, she is ready to work across the sector to make a difference for those who need strong role models and supportive structures.

For Belinda, to Play Like a Girl means being strong, determined and focused. It’s about refusing to take no for an answer, building pathways to success, and bringing others along on the journey toward lifelong physical activity.

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