Push to upgrade outdated facilities at Queenborough Oval

Sporting clubs and a state MP have joined forces to push for a much-needed upgrade at a Hobart oval, with an emphasis on improving “unusable” women’s facilities.

Cameron Whiteley

@cwhiteley12

less than 2 min read

October 27, 2020 - 12:00AM

Sport

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SPORTING clubs and a state MP have joined forces to push for a much-needed upgrade of tired and outdated facilities at a Sandy Bay ground.

Queenborough Oval’s co-tenants — the Hutchins School Old Boys Football Club, Sandy Bay Junior Football Club and South Hobart Sandy Bay Cricket Club - have formed a committee to seek funding to improve facilities.

And their quest has been backed by independent member for Clark Madeleine Ogilvie, who said the venue had gone without capital improvements for several decades.

Madeleine Ogilvie with, from left, Sam Smith, 12, of Sandy Bay, Stella Moore, 11, of Sandy Bay, and Xavier Reynolds, 10, of Sandy Bay. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“The women’s facilities are so beyond a contemporary standard that they are unusable,’’ she said.

“It is a dreadful situation for young girls and women.”

Ms Ogilvie said it was a venue used year-round by a range of people from all over Hobart - and said the ground’s suburb should not mean it was neglected.

“There is a sense some people have that because it’s Sandy Bay, they should be able to look after themselves,’’ she said.

“Postcode envy should not come into it.”

Facilities at Queenborough Oval. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Cricket club president Michael Denehey said the change rooms in particular at the venue needed upgrading.

“The changerooms in particular are probably as they were 50 years ago when my father played footy for Sandy Bay,’’ he said.

“With more numbers through the three clubs and importantly, more and more females playing both sports, it’s become problematic.

“One thing is attracting young kids to the clubs, and keeping them, so you can imagine if you are a parent of a young girl, you have a look at the change rooms and they are disgraceful.”