Local sporting faciltiies will be able to apply or funding for new or improved women’s change rooms and amenities thanks to new funding committed under the NSW Government’s $2 billion Regional Growth Fund.
NSW Nationals Upper House MP, Sam Farraway said $50 million will be available for women’s sporting facilities including change rooms under the the $100 million Round Four of the successful Stronger Country Communities Fund with applications to open in May 2021.
Mr Farraway said a lack of quality facilities can be a barrier for women interested in playing community sport and this funding will deliver the facilities that help to promote participation in a wide range of sports.
“Women’s sport has always been important in our regional communities and over recent years has grown in popularity. It is important that funding programs like this are taken full advantage of to ensure participation rates continue to rise,” Mr Farraway said.
“I know in some regional communities change rooms and toilets at sportsgrounds have been designed for men, or the few local female amenities are in poor condition, which can be a barrier to female participation in sport.
“This will be a great opportunity for clubs to establish new facilities that will help women to feel more welcome.”
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said long gone are the days of men’s only soccer, AFL, rugby and cricket and women deserve the same standards when they play.
“The NSW Nationals are building a safer and stronger regional NSW and building these new facilities will increase participation and allow women and girls to receive the social and health benefits associated with sport,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Women have been flying the flag for Australian sport with our international teams achieving incredible status on the world platform, and many of these athletes come from regional communities.
“Access to designated female change rooms will be a huge benefit to our future Matilidas, Opals, Hockeyroos, Jillaroos and Wallaroos, as well as grassroots athletes.”
The $50 million will be made available through the Stronger Country Communities Fund Round four to meet strong demand for further high quality community and sports-related infrastructure projects.
Further details about Round Four of the program, including guidelines and eligible applicants, will be available on the Regional Growth Fund website in coming months.
