Queenborough Oval $3.8m revamp to get facilities up to standard
‘There’s no doors on the showers, there’s only one toilet, which we share between a full football team.’ Facility upgrades are set to boost female teams who have been dealing with ‘grim’ amenities.
Tasmania
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Brooke Saward loves her footy and cricket.
There’s few places she is happier than when getting a kick with teammates from the Hutchins School Old Boys Football Club women’s team, playing at their home ground Queenborough Oval.
The mood changes though, when the female players retire to the change rooms at halftime and at game’s end.
The facilities are simply not up to standard, especially for the growing cohort of female players.
It’s a fact recognised by the City of Hobart and state government, which are pouring a combined $3.8m into a redevelopment of the complex.
Work is getting under way, and not a moment to soon for the hundreds of female players affected
“At the moment, they’re pretty grim,” 25-year-old Saward said of the Queenborough change room facilities.
“There’s no doors on the showers, there’s only one toilet, which we share between a full football team. There’s usually a line at halftime for us to get in there, which sucks.
“The clubrooms are quite outdated. they’re a bit stale, and the toilets are quite often not working.”
Ms Saward said she and other players appreciated the redevelopment and she is sure the improvements will help retain players who may have previously walked away in frustration.
“I know when I had my first game of cricket here, I was completely shocked at the state of the facilities and then when I came and played (football) for Hutchins I was like, ‘Oh, this is my home ground now’,” she said.
“From when I started, it’s been like this, so I never really thought much of it but now, with the upgrades getting started, we just can’t wait for it to be done.
“We’re all very excited … it’s pretty much all everyone’s been talking about since the back end of last season.”
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the redevelopment of Queenborough Oval was important in returning it as a premier sporting venue.
“The new facilities will not only enhance the experience for players and spectators but also promote greater participation, particularly among our female athletes,” Ms Reynolds said on Friday.
The redevelopment, funded $2m by the state government and $1.8m by the City of Hobart, includes construction of new change rooms with a rooftop viewing terrace; extension to the rear of the existing grandstand to provide new toilet facilities; extension and alterations to the front of the grandstand to include a new ramp, walkway, stairwell, and accessible lift; and internal demolition and alterations to the ground floor of the grandstand to create change rooms, a medical room, bathrooms, and a multipurpose room.
Queenborough Oval is the home ground of the South Hobart Sandy Bay Cricket Club, Hutchins Old Boys Football Club, and Sandy Bay Junior Football Club.
Sandy Bay Junior Football Club president Stuart Hammond said the upgrade was sorely needed.
“With 450 players from Auskick through to under-18s, the new facilities will provide all of our players with a much-improved playing and training experience,” he said.
“Our current facilities are inadequate in catering for our players, in particular our female players, and the upgrade will see us be able to attract new players, both male and female.”
Originally published as Queenborough Oval $3.8m revamp to get facilities up to standard
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