Female facilities set for makeover in Queensland sporting clubs

The Palaszczuk Government is tackling inequality in access to sporting opportunities for women, with Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni officially launching the new Female Facilities Program today.

Mr de Brenni announced the new $15 million program, part of the Queensland Government’s successful Get in the Game initiative, at the Burleigh Bears rugby league club today.

“The Female Facilities Program is an exciting new fund to support the construction of female amenities in sport and recreation clubs around the state,” Mr de Brenni said.

“We know one of the barriers for women and girls to participate in sport is outdated and often non-existent female amenities and change rooms in sport and recreation locations.

“Many clubs across the state were built in an entirely different era, when far fewer women and girls played club sport or participated in active recreation, if at all.

“The Female Facilities Program aims to address this identified need for dedicated female amenities so that we can encourage more women and girls to get involved in sport and active recreation.”

Australian Rugby League Jillaroos Head Coach, Brad Donald, commended the Palaszczuk Government on this much needed investment.

"It is fantastic that the state government and sporting clubs like the Burleigh Bears are getting behind initiatives to make sport at all levels more accessible for women and girls,” Mr Donald said.

“It is challenging to find venues that cater for the whole community and their needs and this initiative will help women and girls at all levels.”

Gold Coast Titans Chief Executive Officer, Graham Annesley, echoed Mr Donald’s remarks.

“Sport is an important part of the social fabric of all communities, but it can only be truly inclusive if facilities underpin and encourage access for all participants,” Mr Annesley said.

“This government investment will provide a real boost for the women and girls who will no longer be disadvantaged due to a lack of quality facilities.”

Mr de Brenni said the Palaszczuk Government will invest $15 million over two years to support the development of new infrastructure and upgraded facilities to better cater for women and girls.

“Under this program, grants of up to $500,000 will be available to develop fit-for-purpose female change room facilities and amenities that meet the current and future needs of our communities.” 

Mr de Brenni said applications for the Female Facilities Program will open in early October 2017.

“We want to provide more opportunities for Queenslanders to participate in sport and active recreation at the grassroots level, and by encouraging organisations to build suitable facilities we’ll be providing better access to all,” he said.

“We want to see more women and girls getting outdoors, staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“In the coming months, we’ll be liaising with councils and sport and recreation organisations to encourage them to get on board with this great initiative.”

For more information about the Female Facilities Fund and other opportunities available under Get in the Game visit: www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/getinthegame/

[ENDS]

Media contact: Cat Milton 0410 644 113