Newport Rugby Club has won a long fought battle to get female changing rooms, like men

A campaign to end inequality in sport in terms of female changing rooms has seen victory at one northern beaches rugby club, but others are still fighting for basic facilities.

It’s a bizarre fact that many women and girls wanting to play sport on the northern beaches are forced to change on the sidelines, while men have the luxury of not only changing rooms but showers.

Last year females from Warringah Rugby Club launched a campaign to get equal facilities to the men saying they were sick of being forced to change on the sidelines or in a demountable they nicknamed the ‘sweat box’ because it has no aircon or lighting.

Sarah Carrington, 36, a second rower at the club, said it wasn’t just a northern beaches problem, but statewide, as there were no female facilities at any rugby grounds where they play.

Sarah Carrington and Sarah Laman in full rugby kit, outside the changing rooms at Rat Park, Warriewood. The ladies mostly have to change on the field because there are no female changing facilities. (AAP Image / Julian Andrews)

While Ms Carrington and her fellow female players are still fighting for change, Newport Rugby Club’s home ground at Porter Reserve is set to provide equal facilities for their female members for the first time in its 60-year history.

It follows a long battle by Newport Junior Rugby Club, which has seen a huge rise in girls joining the sport over the past few years.

Nigel Baker, president of the juniors, said every sports ground should have equal facilities for men and women and it was “bizarre” in this day and age that most sporting facilities did not cater for both sexes.

He said around five years ago they began to see their junior female membership grow and they quickly realised they needed to do something about the lack of facilities.

An artist impression of the addition to the Newport Rugby Clubhouse which includes female changing facilities for the first time. Picture: Northern Beaches Council.

“We realised that as these girls got older they would need their own changing facilities,” he said.

“We knew if we wanted to keep them we needed to do something about it.”

He said the Newport community had helped raise an incredible $200,000 towards the new facilities, the State Government has given a $400,000 grant towards the build and Northern Beaches Council was also contributing.

A proposal to build female changing rooms, a canteen and accessible access for wheelchair users next to the current club, is currently on display for the public to share their views.

“It won’t just benefit the rugby club but other sports users, such as netballers,” Mr Baker said.

“Also at least half the crowd are female too, so they will be able to use the facilities.”

Ironically, some of the male members are asking whether they will be able to use the new facilities, joked Mr Baker.

A concept plan for the proposed addition to the Newport Rugby Clubhouse at Porter Reserve. Picture: Northern Beaches Council.

“The men’s facilities are a bit decrepit and are not being updated,” he said.

“The females will not be letting them use theirs.”

Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes said the clubhouse extension will include female change rooms, a unisex accessible toilet, first aid room, seating, canteen and a BBQ area.

He said the funding enhances inclusivity in the sport-loving Pittwater community.

“The clubhouse upgrades at Porter Reserve will ensure fit-for-purpose amenities are provided for all participants,” he said.

Ms Carrington, who is also Women’s Director for Warringah Rugby Club, said she was delighted to hear Newport would be getting proper facilities and that they were hoping to have temporary facilities in place at their own ground in Warriewood next season and hopefully permanent facilities will follow.

“There are a lot of young girls playing rugby now and it is exciting to see that we are moving in the right direction in terms of providing proper facilities for them,” she said.

To view the concept design for the new amenities and provide feedback visit https://yoursay.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/porter-reserve-clubhouse-new-change-space