The Andrews government has narrowed the focus of its December gender equity announcement, saying the board quota would only apply to Victorian peak bodies.

National sporting organisations such as the Football Federation of Australia can also continue to accept Victorian government money without any requirement for them to include a certain number of women on their boards.

Sports Minister John Eren did not say why the government had chosen to impose the reform on just one part of the sporting community.

"We need to remember that these are non-government organisations, but we want to work with them to get better outcomes for women, and more women involved both on and off the field," he said.

A special advisory committee on women and girls in sport, chaired by Richmond Football Club president Peggy O'Neal, made the recommendation as part of an extensive report that the government said it would adopt in full.

It said a three-year phase-in period would be reasonable for the board change.

"All organisations that receive Victoria Government funding should have a minimum of 40 per cent women on their governing bodies," its report read.

"The panel believes this requirement should be framed as a minimum quota."

In late December government representatives ruled out applying the quota to small-scale community clubs, but said it had not decided whether it would apply to big professional clubs or national bodies.

Large sporting clubs often receive state government funding through sponsorships and grants to upgrade facilities.

The Western Bulldogs are sponsored by the state government to promote the regional city of Ballarat and Richmond recently said they would receive sponsorship from the government's Responsible Gambling Foundation.

The state government is contributing $12 million towards a $28.4 million upgrade of St Kilda Football Club's historic Moorabbin base, which will include elite training facilities.

It will be shared with the South Metro Junior Football League and VFL side the Sandringham Dragons, but Saints CEO Matt Finnis said in December the improved amenities would underpin the club's future success.

Governments pay the FFA millions of dollars to have the Socceroos play in their states, as it is seen as a way to boost tourism.

Some of that money covers the cost of holding the event, including stadium hire and the players' match fees, but the rest goes directly to the FFA.

The department of local infrastructure in the year 2013-14 gave $50,000 each to AFL Victoria and Cricket Victoria.

Cricket Victoria, which has two women and seven men on its board, will be subject to the quota when it is introduced.

CEO Tony Dodemaide said his organisation was supportive in principle of the measure, although a timeline for its implementation had not yet been figured out.

"It's broadly accepted that you want the people on the board and more women representatives is a good thing," he said.

Of the five-strong AFL Victoria board, only one member is a woman.

A representative said AFL Victoria was one of many sporting bodies that last month attended a Sports and Recreation Victoria working party to discuss the matter, but did not provide further comment.

The committee's report also recommended the government develop a social media campaign to inspire women and girls to become involved in sport.

It said sport club managers should ensure female players have fair access to the best facilities on offer and the government should create a Victorian Honour Role of Women in Sport and Active Recreation.

Eren said his government would commit $1 million towards making the recommendations a reality.