More female-friendly change facilities have been rolled out by the Palaszczuk Government to encourage more young girls and women to get on the team and support jobs for our Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman said $500,000 had been invested in new change room facilities at Meakin Park, Slacks Creek.
“This kicks a winning goal to inspire young girls and women to be their best on the football field,” Ms Fentiman said.
“Having female-friendly change facilities are incredibly important to keeping girls and women active in their local sporting clubs.
“Women and girls shouldn’t have to get changed on the sidelines or in the car and then head home for a shower.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s $500,000 investment through the Female Facilities Program will help to boost female player numbers at Meakin Park with a more welcoming environment before and after the match.
“Fields like Meakin Park are where there’s opportunity for the committed and determined in the decade ahead to the 2032 Brisbane Games.”
The Palaszczuk Government’s Female Facilities Program has delivered new playing field infrastructure including change rooms, 29 unisex shower cubicles and 10 unisex toilet cubicles.
Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said since 2015, the Palaszczuk Government had spent more than $33 million supporting football in Queensland.
“Local sporting clubs are the heart of our communities,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“We’re continuing to build female-friendly facilities because we know when girls and women feel comfortable and supported, they’re more likely to stick with the sport of their choice.
“More girls and women are taking up traditionally male dominated sport with 15,000 or 20 per cent of all football club players being female.
“The number of female players is soaring and that’s what makes having appropriate facilities so important.”
Mr Hinchliffe said Queensland was looking forward to being part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.
“Elite sport brings out the best in aspiring young Queenslanders,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“More than 1.8 million watched the Matildas play Sweden at the Tokyo Games, making it the most watched women’s team sport in Australian broadcast history.
“Over the next decade, Meakin Park could play a role in helping to discover new Matildas and committed match day volunteers in the lead up to Brisbane’s transformational 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Community sport is where it begins, that’s why we’ve helped local clubs get back on their feet after the 2020 Covid-disrupted season and invested $7.4 million in FairPlay vouchers.
“We don’t want family finances to be a barrier to giving young Queenslanders a spot on the team or a stumbling block to developing their full potential.”
Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said investment in new facilities like the new change rooms at Meakin Park will help to accommodate current demand and the expected surge in female participation in the lead-up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
“We are experiencing phenomenal growth in female numbers leading up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 which will be held right here in Australia,” Mr Cavallucci said.
“MiniRoos girls participation has increased by 30.6 per cent in 2021 alone.
“Having inclusive facilities like these at Meakin Park will help us unlock the legacy of this global event and continue Queensland’s proud track record of producing Matildas players.”
