By Bonny Burrows
Bunyip sporting clubs are singing the praises of the town’s new state-of-the-art netball pavilion, specially designed for female players.
To be used by the town’s netball and tennis clubs, the Bunyip Showgrounds Reserve Netball Pavilion – officially opened last Thursday – features a home and away change room and accessible amenities, umpire changerooms, storage, a multi-purpose area, kitchen, offices and undercover viewing areas for both netball and tennis courts.
The new pavilion funded through a $100,000 State Government Community Sports Infrastructure Fund grant, is focused on promoting gender-equality in sport through the creation of female-friendly sporting facilities.
Bunyip Netball Club President Tracie White said after years of cramped headquarters, the club was now the envy of other local teams.
“We had a practice match with Lang Lang and they are so jealous, they were really impressed which is a fair reaction from a visiting club,” Ms White said.
She said the upgrades would also go a long way to promoting a family-friendly environment, particularly for players with young families and potential new members.
“Before we had many who were reluctant to bring their kids due to a lack of sheltered facilities, and we really see ourselves as a family club,” Ms White said.
Future plans for the facility being floated by the club include educational training nights, food handling courses and the renting of the space for private and corporate events.
Bunyip Tennis Coach Chris Millidonis described the facility, which has a 1000-person capacity, as fantastic.
“Overall I think it’s pretty modern. It’s great for Bunyip and it’s really good to be a good facility moving forward for the club’s future,” Mr Millidonis said.
Member for Eastern Victoria Region Daniel Mulino said the pavilion would service the increased number of female athletes.
“With women and girls joining grassroots clubs in Cardinia at record numbers, we’re doing everything we can to ensure they have access to the sporting facilities they deserve,” Mr Mulino said.
“It’s not good enough to have women and girls changing in the back of cars to play the sports they love. It’s unfair, but we are fixing that.”
