Editorial: All women’s sport should reap benefits

Now is the time to capitalise on the exploding popularity of not just women’s soccer, but women’s sport in general to ensure future generations reap the benefit, writes the editor.

The political benefits for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk being front and centre during the Matildas’ World Cup campaign cannot be underestimated – and now it is time to pay it forward.

As we reveal today, significant funding needs to be directed to community football clubs where poor facilities post an “existential” crisis.

According to a Football Australia report, just half of Queensland’s soccer facilities have what would be considered adequate changing facilities for women and girls.

And we are one of the better states, with Tasmania at just 18 per cent and NSW at 24 per cent.

To her credit, Ms Palaszczuk yesterday announced an extra $37 million would be invested in women and girls’ sport – including a tripling of the Inclusive Facilities Fund to $30 million.

And the federal government last week announced a $200 million “Play Our Way” fund for female facilities for all community sports from next year, while the Coalition has pledged a similar $250 million fund should they win the election due in 2025.

What is important now is for the application process for those funds to be easily navigated, and approvals given in a timely manner.

Baroness Sue Campbell, the English Football Association’s director of women’s football, told The Courier-Mail and Nova’s Toward the Games podcast there were three tiers needing particular focus.

Two of them are no-brainers – the grassroots and elite levels.

But it is the often-forgotten middle tier that is most important, the Baroness argues. That’s your club competitions needing extra support not just to develop the next Sam Kerr, but to thrive – rather than just survive.

And that goes for all sports, not just women’s football.

Sporting clubs have been dying a slow, sad and painful death for many years. And the lack of female change rooms is just one issue.

Loyal volunteers spend decades helping out at the canteen, marking fields and maintaining equipment – only to leave in frustration when the continual lack of money and support becomes all too much.

Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells touts herself as the minister representing the people in sport.

Ms Wells cried, along with a good proportion of the nation, when the Matildas beat France to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

Now is the time for her to prove she truly is the minister representing the people in sport.

Those in so-called fringe sports – which are often underfunded and tend to have higher female participation – will tell her the numbers have steadily been declining for many years.

Some of that is just a sign of the times, but a little bit of well-directed funding in consultation with the groups on the ground can go a long, long way.

The benefits are endless. Not only do we get a pipeline of elite athletes in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, the positive impacts on communities, particularly in the regions, are immeasurable.

Now is the time to capitalise on the exploding popularity of not just women’s soccer, but women’s sport in general to ensure future generations reap the benefit.

GIANT LEAP INTO MISSILE AGE

Australia’s military is slowly becoming the sophisticated, modern force it needs to be for our nation to be a true regional power – and we’re not waiting until the 2040s when the nuclear-powered AUKUS submarines arrive for that to happen.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy will today announce a $1.7bn investment in hi-tech missiles that will enable Australia to engage any potential enemies well away from our borders.

The RAN is set to receive 200 Tomahawk missiles that have a range of 1500km and will initially be fitted to Hobart-class destroyers.

It gives the Australian Defence Force a strategic strike capability that has been lacking since the last of our F-111 aircraft was retired in 2010. Only the US and UK militaries have Tomahawks, which can be used by our Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines when they finally arrive.

Mr Conroy also announced the purchase of 60 advanced anti-radiation guided missiles for the RAAF that can identify, locate and destroy ground targets.

“As we enter what many are calling the missile age, these will be vital tools for the ADF to do it’s job of defending Australia,” he said.

While these weapons may be seen as offensive in nature, they are vital to keep any potential enemies (read China) at arm’s length, and enable Australia to defend itself by destroying strategic targets many thousands of kilometres from our shores.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here