NETBALLERS will soon no longer need to get changed in cars and public toilets at Vansittart Park after North Gambier Football and Netball Club received at $213,000 from the Federal Government for new facilities.
The funding windfall will see the construction of a new pavilion adjacent to existing netball courts, encompassing changerooms, bathrooms and spectator viewing areas.
North Gambier netball president Sharon Day said women did not have access to appropriate changeroom facilities at the club, with players, coaches and umpires required to change either near the grandstand or outside the grounds in the playground.
She said the funding would allow the club to build a dedicated female facility and appropriately cater for the increasing number of women entering the netball competition.
“The Western Border netball competition has grown year after year and it has meant we now have lots and lots of people playing netball and no changeroom or shower facilities at all,” she said.
“This year we have 10 teams, plus umpires, coaches and spectators.
“The toilets are way over near the grandstand or outside the grounds in the playground, which is safety issue with kids crossing the road.
“A big part of our application was the safety issues of sending people outside the grounds to the public toilets to get changed.
“We have been waiting a long time for this and we are very appreciative of the funding.”
Ms Day said the new facilities, which are expected to be complete ahead of next year’s competition, would also benefit the Tigers’ women’s football side.
“The women’s football play here and they need some female friendly changerooms, so it will be good for them,” she said.
“It will also include disability cess.”
The club hopes to gain City Council approval for the development, with a view to start construction at the end of the season.
The investment is part of the Federal Government’s Community Sport Infrastructure Grant program, which aims to upgrade local facilities across Australia and drive increased participation in
sports.
In delivering the funding, Barker MP Tony Pasin said the social and health benefits of physical activity and sport was a key priority of his government.
“The Morrison Government is supporting local grassroots sports because we recognise the wider health, social and community benefits that come from greater activity and participating in sport,” he said.
“Our government’s investment in local sporting facilities will go towards upgrades that improve the amenity and functionality like new toilets, upgraded lighting and installing irrigation.”
The funding has been locked into the federal budget and is not contingent on the outcome of the upcoming election.
