Member for Yuroke Ros Spence has welcomed the biggest ever investment in women’s participation in sport by an Australian state government.

Minister for Sport, John Eren, recently announced applications for Community Sport Infrastructure Fund grants are open. The $100 million fund includes a $10 million Female Friendly Facilities fund, so that clubs can build or upgrade women’s change rooms.

Even though women are joining community sports clubs in record numbers, women’s change rooms are too often rundown or non-existent. Sports traditionally played by men are more popular than ever – AFL Victoria welcomed 63 women’s teams in 2015 – but they don’t enjoy the same facilities as their male counterparts. It’s antiquated and it’s unfair.

The Female Friendly Facilities Fund is just part of the Labor Government’s $100 million Community Sports Infrastructure Fund, which is upgrading sport and recreation facilities across the state for all Victorians. Other Community Sports Infrastructure Fund initiatives include upgrading cricket grounds and grassroots training facilities to keep up with spiralling participation rates, aquatic centres, minor facilities works and planning grants.

Local sports clubs in Yuroke deserve modern, safe facilities. The Labor Government promised them, and is getting on with delivering them. The Community Sport Infrastructure Fund includes $23 million towards community sporting facility projects across Victoria – and many are under way.

For more information, visit www.sport.vic.gov.au