By Bonny Burrows
Government financial support is needed to assist with an increased demand for female-friendly sporting facilities, according to Cardinia Shire Deputy Mayor Brett Owen.
Councillor Owen said while the council was doing it all could to support local clubs, it was important the State Government stepped up and assisted with the costs due to insure female players were provided with private facilities.
“Female participation in football, cricket and other sports has rapidly increased in the last few years,” Cr Owen said.
“Our older pavilions were not built with female participation in mind. We have change rooms that were not designed for universal access. They have a lack of partitioned showers and toilet facilities.”
Officer Senior Football Club President Nick McLennan echoed Cr Owen’s calls.
“Due to things like AFL women’s there’s been an increased interested in women’s sport which has resulted in a need for additional resources,” Mr McLennan said.
“While clubs are doing what we can, and so is the council, there is certainly a need to do more to provide better facilities.”
The two have called on the State Government to commit to funding in the upcoming budget.
The council, Cr Owen said, was committed to undertaking the upgrades in the coming years through its annual budgets, but couldn’t fund the projects on its own.
“Council will be advocating very strongly for other government’s financial support to bring forward these much-needed upgrades,” Cr Owen said.
“These improvements will ensure generations of young people and females have access to quality sport facilities to increase female participation and opportunities well into the future.”
