Council will seek state help to build “female-friendly” change rooms at Bell Park Sports Club where a shortage of facilities forces women soccer players to change in cars.
Sports Minister John Eren said his government would “welcome” council’s application for joint funding but failed to outline any support he would provide as the club’s local state MP.
Councillors agreed this week to apply for $250,000 from the Victorian Governments World Game Facilities Fund (WGFF).
The fund accepted applications from councils for up to $250,000 for soccer club projects, council said.
Council would allocate $270,000 to the project if the state application was successful, with the club providing the remainder of funding through cash and in-kind contributions.
The $810,000 project would deliver two sets of unisex change rooms and amenities, umpire change rooms and a first aid area for the club’s 60-plus female members.
The facilities were “much-needed”, council said.
Eight clubs expressed interest in the state grant but councillors decided to apply on Bell Park’s behalf, council revealed.
Bell Park’s submission “strongly aligned with council policy and the WGFF criteria”, would result in “clear female participation outcomes” and included “well-developed” plans and costings, council said.
Mayor Bruce Harwood said council needed help keeping up with demand for facilities from growth in women’s sport.
“It’s fantastic to see strong numbers of girls and women participating in sports such as soccer and Australian football, and we’re determined to make sure everyone who wants to play can do so at facilities that are safe and comfortable,” Cr Harwood said.
“We can’t meet this growing need alone, and opportunities such as the state government’s World Game Facilities Fund are valuable. The Bell Park Sports Club application is very strong, so we hope it will be successful.”
Mr Eren failed to provide an answer when the Indy asked what support he would provide for the application but said the Andrews Government was “changing the game for women’s sport in Victoria”.
We welcome council’s application and will continue working to level the playing field and make grassroots clubs like Bell Park Sports Club stronger,” he said.
