Liberal government and Sharks pledge $8 million to upgrade female changerooms at Shark Park

Cronulla’s NRLW team are one step closer to having their own changerooms with the Sharks and the Coalition pledging a combined $8 million in funding should they win the federal election.

Sharks captain Tiana Penitani at PointsBet Stadium. Picture: Richard Dobson

Cronulla’s NRLW team are one step closer to having their own changerooms with the Sharks and the Coalition pledging a combined $8 million in funding should they win the election.

Liberal MPs Simon Kennedy and Jenny Ware on Friday promised $4 million to upgrade the Sharks female facilities under Peter Dutton.

Cronulla promised to match that amount.

“The current changerooms were designed for men, with only three toilets. You can imagine how hectic it gets on game day,” Sharks star Emma Tonegato said.

“We’d love to have private, enclosed showers, where each player has their own space to feel comfortable. That privacy is especially important for younger girls coming through the sport.”

The announcement comes just months after the Sharks appeared in their first NRLW grand final since its inception in 2018, going down to the Sydney Roosters 32-28 in October.

The side, which also boasts captain Tiana Penitani and halfback Tayla Preston, have currently been sharing changerooms with the men’s teams in the Shire.

It prompted Kennedy and Ware to kickstart a campaign that included over 1000 signatures from the local community to upgrade PointsBet Stadium with women’s facilities.

“Investing in women’s sport is about more than just facilities; it’s about ensuring equality, respect, and opportunity for our female athletes,” Ware said.

“To think that our women wouldn’t be forced to use rooms that certainly aren’t suitable, and to accommodate our women and visiting teams in facilities they deserve, would be amazing.

“It would be a game changer.”

Added Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta: “Well done to Simon, Jenny and to Peter Dutton and the Liberal government for listening and having the courage to support this initiative and to have the understanding as to how important this is for our community.”

Originally published as Liberal government and Sharks pledge $8 million to upgrade female changerooms at Shark Park