Palmerston Raiders receive $80,000 for change rooms upgrades

A Top End community sporting club has received $80,000 from the NT government to improve a key piece of infrastructure. Read what the money will go towards.

The NT government has invested $80,000 to upgrade the women’s change rooms at the Palmerston Raiders Rugby League Club to improve safety and privacy.

A tender lodged earlier this year revealed the previous change rooms did not have the needed partitions to create a private environment.

The newly-designed change rooms offer more privacy for all players within the NRL NT and touch football competitions that use the grounds.

The changes include three private cubicles in each change room and the installation of a new door to separate the room from the showering area.

Sport Minister Kate Worden said upgrading the change rooms was essential.

“Removing barriers to women’s participation is essential to encouraging more women and girls to play sport,” she said.

“Having the right facilities to support them off the field is a key part of creating the right playing conditions so they feel comfortable before, during and after the game.”

Lasham Dalgleish and Jesse Thomson of the Palmerston Raiders in the new change rooms.

The Palmerston Raiders have the highest number of women and girls participating in the NRL NT, with the demographic’s growth across the competition in 2024 being 5.6 per cent.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler said the growth, which included participation in junior girls rising by 37 per cent, needed to be supported.

“More women and girls are playing rugby league and that’s why we’re investing in change rooms for women at the Palmerston Raiders,” she said.

Palmerston Raiders president Rodney Greenwood said it was great to be able to support women and girls at his club.

“To have change rooms which offer privacy for all players without feeling awkward or uncomfortable means we can provide a safe and welcoming environment for everyone,” he said.

Lasham Dalgleish and Jesse Thomson of the Palmerston Raiders.

NRL NT general manager Tony Crowe agreed.

“The number of women and girls playing NRL in the NT continues to grow and we’re committed to doing everything we can to support this growth.