Women and girls across NSW will have access to more inclusive sporting facilities, thanks to the NSW Government’s $25 million Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Program.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said 94 community sport facilities are set to be transformed, delivering female-friendly change rooms, amenities, and lighting upgrades, which is one of the biggest barriers that prevent women and girls from playing sport.
“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government recognises the critical role local sport infrastructure plays in keeping our communities healthy and active,”
“Community sport is where it all begins, and by investing in our local communities to help boost female participation, we will ensure any young girl or woman who wants to shoot a hoop, score a try or kick a goal, can do so in a supportive environment.” Mr. Perrottet said.
19 Football venues across the Football NSW footprint received over $5 million worth of funding towards lighting upgrades and amenity upgrades and renewals.
Several venues received the maximum $500,000 available, they included:
- Frank Gray Oval (John Fisher Park) – amenity upgrade
- North Turramurra Recreation Area – new amenities building
- Gissing Oval – amenities refurbishment
- Figtree Oval – new amenities building
Football NSW Manager, Government Relations, Funding, and Infrastructure Daniel Ristic commented “the Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Program has been a fantastic funding program for community sport clubs, particularly football. The program links directly to the NSW Football Infrastructure Strategy and the key pillars of Inclusive Football Facilities and Improving Existing Venue Capacity”.
“Lighting upgrades from the program will allow both an increase in capacity at the venues and reduce electricity costs for clubs as venues move away from halogen to LED lighting”
Ristic continued “Venues across NSW are reaching capacity for weekend competition, the lighting upgrades at venues such as Berkeley Sports Club, Gladesville Reserve, and Temora West Sportsground will allow night competition games to be played mid-week”.
As the excitement levels lift across Australia and New Zealand for the FIFA Women’s World Cup the funding through this Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Program and Round 1 of the NSW Football Legacy Fund is going to allow community football clubs to cater for the increase in demand.
Females will now be able to train and compete in a safe and inclusive environment across NSW thanks to this injection of funding into the community.
Find more information, including a list of successful recipients at the Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Program website.
