Upgrades to sports-field amenities across Lake Macquarie are set to help women and girls feel more welcome and included in community sport.
With a $389,520 grant from Round Four of the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund, Lake Macquarie City Council is updating changerooms at eight sportsgrounds across the city.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said the upgrades would help boost participation in sport.
"Women's sport is booming, but many of our older sporting amenities lack the facilities needed to support our whole community to join in the fun," Cr Fraser said.
"Simple changes like installing partitioned showers in changerooms will send a strong message that women and girls are welcome at our sportsgrounds, and hopefully help foster a lifelong love of sport."
Amenities to be upgraded as part of the program of works include:
- Cardiff No. 1 and No. 2 Ovals
- Edgeworth No. 2 Oval
- Kahibah Oval
- Lance Yorke Oval, Garden Suburb
- Liles Oval, Redhead
- Tredinnick Oval, Boolaroo
- Walters Park, Boolaroo
Upgrades are expected to be completed by June 2023.
Michelle Forbes coordinates the Kick-on for Women program at Garden Suburb Football Club, which provides an opportunity for women of all ages to maintain fitness and friendships through skills-based games and small-side matches.
Ms Forbes said the upgrades would benefit the club's 250-plus female members.
"We're incredibly proud that half of our club's membership is female, so any improvements that let all our players feel included are welcomed," she said.
"As the mother of a 10-year-old player, I know these upgrades will allow both young girls and women feel more at ease, and help them perform at their best at training and on game day."
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said the Stronger Country Communities Fund was all about enriching regional communities.
"This is exactly the kind of project the Stronger Country Communities Fund was designed for. These upgrades will give even more people an opportunity to get involved with community sport," he said.
"The NSW Government is investing record amounts to deliver the infrastructure needed to stimulate regional economies, but we're also backing grassroots projects that make a positive difference to everyday life."
