Federal election 2025: Louise Miller-Frost and Nicolle Flint both promise millions for Sturt, Glenelg women’s football club upgrades in knife-edge Boothby race

It’s one of the most tightly fought election races in the state and both Labor and Liberal candidates think women’s football facilities could be a key contest.

Labor MP Amanda Rishworth says the South Adelaide women’s footy team has more grand final trophies than toilets and a re-elected Albanese government would spend $5m on new facilities.

Ms Rishworth has announced support for the Panthers with Labor’s candidate and sitting member in the knife-edge federal seat of Boothby, Louise Miller-Frost.

The funds would be among $12m earmarked for “female-friendly changerooms”, lighting, field upgrades and training facilities for some of the state’s top women’s football teams.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the campaign trail with Boothby MP Louise Miller-Frost. Picture: NewsWire/Jason Edwards

Boothby Liberal candidate Nicolle Flint. Picture by Matt Turner.

Another $3.5m is flagged for the Glenelg Football Club and another $3.5m for Sturt Football Club teams.

“The South Adelaide Football Club women’s team has won more premierships than they have toilets,” Kingston MP Amanda Rishworth said.

“Women and girls should be encouraged to take up football – but when there’s not even something as basic as somewhere to get changed before and after a game, that’s a problem that we’re solving.”

Boothby MP Louise Miller-Frost is battling to hold the southern suburbs seat with a 3.3 per cent margin against the Liberal’s Nicolle Flint - and women’s football already is a winner.

Just a few days ago Ms Flint announced that a Dutton Liberal Government would invest $2m in female football facilities for Seaview High School and the Glenelg Football Club’s women’s team. Another $2m was promised for Sturt.

“Our female footy players deserve facilities that help them achieve at every level - school, community, SANFLW and AFLW,” she said.

Tabitha Prosser and Nicole Campbell with Labor minister Amanda Rishworth. Picture Supplied

The announcements come as Gather Round kicks off across Adelaide next week with the nation’s men’s AFL teams descending on South Australia.

Games will centre around Adelaide Oval with two matches played at the Barossa Valley football club that has undergone a $44m redevelopment funded by the SA government and Barossa Council.

Ms Miller-Frost said the Glenelg and Sturt football clubs “have fought hard for these upgrades”.

“By fully funding these upgrades, we’ll send a clear message to women and girls: you belong on the field, and you deserve top facilities,” she said.