Dual SANFLW premier South Adelaide still share men’s changerooms after missing out on funding
They’re just days away from vying for a third successive premierships but one of Adelaide’s top women’s footy teams is still hasn’t secured its own changerooms.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
One of the state’s most successful women’s football teams is still sharing the men’s changerooms at its southern club.
South Adelaide Football Club’s SANFLW side is vying for a third-straight flag this Sunday.
Despite the team’s success since entering the competition in 2018, the women are still being forced to share a single toilet changeroom with the men’s teams at Noarlunga.
The Panthers had missed out on securing funding through the controversial Commonwealth grants program, and a now-defunct State Government female facilities program.
South Adelaide chief executive officer Neill Sharpe said the club was frustrated with the lack of women’s changerooms but acknowledged the global health pandemic could mean waiting longer.
“Our disappointment on not receiving funding support for female changerooms has been well documented,” Sharpe said.
“While COVID-19 hasn’t helped we remain hopeful we can get a resolution.
“But we are all incredibly proud of the commitment and dedication our female footballers have made to the South Adelaide Football Club.
“They’ve thoroughly deserved the on-field results they’ve got, as they do changerooms.”
The club has been unable to apply for the State Government’s Grassroots Football, Cricket and Netball program due to the contribution required from the club itself.
Sports and recreation office chief executive Kylie Taylor said the State Government believed the responsibility for the development of community infrastructure should be shared.
“As such expects proponents to source funds from multiple sources including local council, federal funds, the clubs own fund raising and through other facility users,” she said.
“Support provided in-kind by members and supporters can also be used to demonstrate a matching contribution to a proposal.
“The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing is willing to work with any organisation, including South Adelaide Football club, seeking funding through grant programs.”
Shadow Sport Minister Katrine Hildyard said having no women’s changerooms at the club “threatens to undermine the work being done to encourage women and girls to get involved in local footy”.
“If you are serious about supporting women’s sport, you must provide girls and women with the facilities that enable them to equally and actively participate,” Hildyard said.
“Women and girls deserve to get changed in a safe and appropriate place that provides them with some dignity.”
Ms Hildyard has submitted a petition calling for the State Government to fund a changeroom upgrade at the club.