Nepean Football Association (NFA) club Emu Plains FC have recently completed its upgrade and updated amenity building thanks to Penrith City Council and the Sport Australia Infrastructure grant.
Hunter Fields home of Emu Plain FC received $200,000 from the Sport Australia fund in 2019 with Penrith City Council contributing a further $500,000 to the $700,000 amenity upgrade.
The project included the upgrade and extension of the existing amenity building with an increased floorplan.
The existing changerooms were upgraded, a new referees change room, and an accessible toilet was added to the building.
All player and referee change rooms are now female friendly allowing females to use the facility to its maximum capability.
Only 10% of the change rooms in the NFA are female friendly. With only 1 in 5 change rooms across the NSW being female friendly.
“Female participation is set to soar in Australia as we eagerly wait for the FIFA Women’s World Cup to begin in June 2023,” said Football NSW Manager – Government Relations, Funding, and Infrastructure, Daniel Ristic.
“Improving and upgrading facilities today will allow clubs across NSW to grow particularly post the World Cup for females.
“Historically amenity buildings were primarily designed to meet the needs of male participants, but to encourage more women and girls to participate in sport today as a player or official, more user-friendly facilities are required.”
Inclusive Football Facilities is a key NSW infrastructure priority in the NSW Infrastructure Strategy.
The 120 plus females at Emu Plains FC now have a safe and secure facility where they can change and prepare for training and competition in comfort.
