Belmont Lions Sports Club has taken the critical first step in delivering its overall Winter Reserve Facilities Development Plan (FDP) by securing up to $1 million in funding from the state government.
The funding will be devoted to the construction of new female-friendly facilities and a new netball court, which Tyrrell Hill, the club’s director of club development and sponsorship, said was integral to the growth of the club.
“We realise we need to look after female participation, which has been lacking, and we believe that’s been holding us back as a club,” Mr Hill said.
“It’s about being more equitable. It’s a general trend across a whole lot of sporting organisations and communities, that we need to provide fair access for all our participants.
“We’re very much focused on building our female participation in programs, both netball and possibly football in the future. We don’t have any junior female football sides yet, but we want to be ready and able to when the time comes.”
The FDP, developed in conjunction with East Belmont Cricket Club, involves a broad range of upgrades, including general upgrades to the existing pavilion and storage facilities.
Mr Hill said the club was thrilled at the announcement by Christine Couzens, MP of funding for the new change rooms and netball court.
“We’re absolutely delighted the state government has seen the benefits of this investment and have allocated this commitment,” he said.
“These facilities are critical to help us achieve our goals and we are grateful to Christine, who has been an active and effective advocate on our behalf.”
