AFL Victoria’s Key Community Facilities Fund has committed $50,000 to upgrade the change room and amenities at Council’s Henry Turner North Reserve Footscray, to make them female friendly.
The pledge is part of a $600,000 proposal of works that would see the amenities undergo a makeover and will include lockable cubicle showers and separate change rooms for men and women. Built prior to the rise in popularity of female football, the current facilities include limited toilets with urinals and open shower blocks.
Maribyrnong City Council Mayor, Cr Cuc Lam said:
“Council is delighted by the commitment and support from AFL Victoria, which will enable our local female football players to reach the top of the ladder!”
The works will cater for the continued growth of the VU Western Spurs and other tenant clubs. The Reserve has been home to female league, the VU Western Spurs since 2015. The club is popular among female footballers, now boasting more than 180 players and increasing the need for updated facilities.
AFL Victoria Strategy, Government and Infrastructure Manager Shayne Ward said that this AFL funding is part of a recently pledged $2.76 million package of AFL funding to dozens of local football facility projects across Victoria.
“Sixty-two projects will receive funding which will help generate $97 million total new investment in local football facilities. Projects that best link directly to AFL Victoria’s Football Facilities Development Strategy, support female football and increase ground capacity to cater for our ever-growing participation have been successful in securing part of the $2.76 million funding allocation.”
AFL Victoria CEO, Steven Reaper said the funding was just one of many initiatives supporting grass roots football and was key in ensuring all Victorian’s have the opportunity to participate in football across the state.
“Community football is the lifeblood of our sport and with our participation rates growing year on year and with female football booming, the provision of welcoming facilities that can cater for this growth is critical,” he said.
“Whether it is new lights, oval surface upgrades or female friendly changerooms, these spaces require upgrades so that our volunteer led clubs can continue to deliver their incredibly important services to their communities.”
