League knocking down barriers for women and girls on the Gold Coast

One of the barriers to female participation in rugby league on the Gold Coast has been knocked down with the announcement of more than $400,000 to improve female amenities at the Burleigh Bears Rugby League Football Club.

At Pizzey Park this morning, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced $412,198 in funding for the Club under her Government’s new $15 million Female Facilities Program.

“The Burleigh Heads Rugby League Football Club is right behind its female players and like many clubs across the state, it wants to create a safe, fun environment for female players of all ages,” the Premier said.

“We know that outdated and often non-existent female amenities and change rooms are often a barrier to participation for women and girls.

“That’s why my government’s $15M Female Facilities program is so important – it’s providing the funding grassroots clubs need to cater for female players of all ages.

“The funding I’ve announced today will tear down the barriers for women and girls wanting to play with the Burleigh Bears and will also benefit visiting female teams during fixtured and representative games.”

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said the Government would continue to invest in programs to support the development of new infrastructure to encourage more women and girls to get out and get active.

“Many sport and active recreation clubs in Queensland were built decades ago and weren’t built to cater for women or girls,” she said.

“We want women and girls to lead a healthier lifestyle by getting in the game and a big part of that is making sporting clubs more accessible

“Through the Female Facilities program, we are opening up opportunities for all Queenslanders to get in the game by finding a sport or active recreation they love.”

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the funding was fantastic news for women and girls on the Gold Coast who want to play rugby league.

“As a diehard League and Titans fan, it’s great to see this investment from the Palaszczuk Government growing this great game and embracing the women’s game on the Gold Coast,” Ms Scanlon said.

“The club will be using this investment to improve its amenities at Pizzey Park to include an extra 22 showers, 18 toilets, four change rooms as well as improving disability access and a baby change station.

“These improvements will be good news for female participation in rugby league on the Gold Coast and I can’t wait to see the end result and have greater female participation locally.”

Burleigh Bears CEO Damien Driscoll thanked the government for the funding and said the female players couldn’t wait for the new amenities to be built.

“The existing facilities are more than 20 years old and were built without females in mind and this funding will help bring the club into the modern era,” Mr Driscoll said.

“Our women’s team has been part of the QRL competition for five years and they’ve been using the old facilities without complaint, but it is time for new amenities.

“Females are an important part of our club and in five years we have developed a strong female culture.

“Nine members of our women’s team have been chosen in the Queensland City Women’s team and the side has won the last three premierships.

“With the NRL creating a national competition, I believe female participation levels will increase across the state and these new amenities will help us attract more female players.”

Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni said an overwhelming number of applications were received for the Female Facilities Program, which provides grants of up to $500,000 to help local sporting clubs provide inclusive facilities for players and patrons.

“The sheer volume of applications shows that this funding is exactly what many clubs need to help them address inequality in sport and boost female participation numbers,” Mr de Brenni said.

“My department is also developing an overarching Sport and Active Recreation Strategy, which we will release toward the end of the year – because every Queenslander deserves the opportunity to participate in sports and active recreation.”

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

Media contacts: Shane Doherty (Premier's office) 0439 624 473