Thirroul's much-loved sporting ground, Thomas Gibson Park, has debuted its new amenities, with completed upgrades set to make a difference for women and girls taking the field.
The new facility features accessible and ambulant toilets, all-gender team change rooms, a wide veranda for spectator shade, seating, a referees' room, first aid room and canteen facilities. While meeting current compliance and accessibility standards, the amenities provide an equitable facility for community use and help enhance an inclusive environment for female players.
The project was proudly co-funded by Wollongong City Council and NSW Government, with a $1M grant through NSW Office of Sport's Level the Playing Field program . The program focusses on reviving sport facilities and lighting that makes a positive impact for women and girls.
"I'm thrilled we're able to handover the fresh new facility to our community in time for the busy upcoming winter sport season," Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.
"In the past decade, we've seen a rise of female players in field sports like rugby league and league tag - and Thomas Gibson Park is one local sportsground that's been championing this growth.
"I look forward to seeing how the new all-gender inclusive facilities will foster a greater experience for all players from various sport codes, and now especially girls and women, who will play on the adjoining fields."
For more than 50 years, the popular sportsground has hosted hundreds of game days and training sessions for multiple grassroots clubs across junior and senior levels. This includes serving as the long-standing home grounds of the Thirroul Butchers Rugby League Club .
However, Council found that the former facility, which was built around the 1950s, could no longer support and meet the future needs of the sporting community.
"I'm excited by the growth of female participation in sport across our city and inspired by the role we can play in this uptick," Cr Brown said.
"Guided by our existing strategies and plans, we'll continue to look at opportunities and funding that can deliver projects that fit for an active and diverse community now and in the future."
Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper said that the NSW Government is committed to reducing barriers for women and girls looking to participate in sport and active recreation.
"Access to safe, welcoming and inclusive sporting facilities is vital to fostering participation among all ages and genders and I look forward to seeing how these upgrades better meet the needs of the local community."
The Hon. Maryanne Stuart MP said "I am thrilled with the new amenities at Thomas Gibson Park! Our local women and girls can now enjoy inclusive, welcoming facilities they can call their own. Seeing this $1M investment between Council and the Minns Labor government has made this come to life for the Thirroul Butchers and our local clubs. It's a huge win for our community.'
Image: The previous building at Thomas Gibson Park Thirroul before the upgrades.
