Women, girls must be supported to receive sporting grants in landmark rule change

This barrier has long deterred women and girls from playing sport, but new rules will force Victorian councils to make crucial changes.

New rules will force councils to ­ensure both genders have equal access to sports ­facilities.

In a game-changer for women and girls in Victoria, and a likely catalyst for change nationally, the state government will on Monday announce minimum standards for councils on women’s change-rooms and facilities to encourage more female and gender-­diverse participation.

The Herald Sun can reveal Victorian councils will need to provide equal facilities for ­females by July 2024 to ­remain eligible for infrastructure ­funding.

Councils will receive training and education from the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation as part of the first phase of a roadmap, which will begin this year.

Community Sport Minister Ros Spence said barriers, ­including lack of access to ­appropriate facilities, were ­deterring women and girls from playing sport.

“Many Victorian women and girls don’t have access to the best courts or grounds, have facilities of lesser standard, or are relegated to less convenient competition and training times,” Ms Spence said.

Footballers from the Sunbury Lions Football Netball Club. L-R Emma, Kalea and Kim.

“These barriers make it difficult for many to participate or reach their best.

“The Fair Access Policy Roadmap will deliver greater health outcomes for all Victorians, a stronger community sport and recreation sector, and fairer use of public sporting assets.”

The roadmap was a “landmark policy” that would significantly improve the inclusiveness of community sport environments, said ­Office for Women in Sport and Recreation director Sarah Styles.

Clubs and facilities that had been slower to accommodate women and girls were encouraged to work with the office to become more welcoming places, Ms Styles said.

“We’re looking forward to working with all stakeholders, wherever they are on their journey,” she said.

It comes as new facilities at Eric Boardman Memorial ­Reserve and Sunbury Recreation Reserve in Hume were officially opened this weekend, with the Sunbury Kangaroos and Sunbury Lions Football Netball Clubs to benefit from the $2m upgrades.

Ms Spence said one pavilion at Eric Boardman Memorial Reserve had been replaced by female-friendly change-rooms and upgraded amenities, while the other two pavilions were refurbished with women’s change rooms also added.

A further $88m is available in this year’s state budget to upgrade community sport ­infrastructure.