• 52 football venue changerooms around Perth will be retrofitted or upgraded
• Funding contribution by the Government will help make it happen
• Project aims to create safe and inclusive community sporting facilities

A million dollars in funding by the Cook Government will be used to support a project to retrofit and upgrade changeroom facilities at dozens of community football venues throughout the Perth metropolitan area.

The money from the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) will be added to funding from the WA Football Facilities Fund and the West Coast Eagles Royalty Reserve to renovate 52 player and umpire changerooms.

The project, spearheaded by the West Australian Football Commission (WAFC) and Perth Football League (PFL) in collaboration with 22 local governments, aims to create a safer and more inclusive environment at community sporting venues.

This project focusing on metropolitan Perth follows on from similar retrofitting initiatives in regional areas of WA already carried out or being planned.

As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:

“The changeroom facilities at our community sporting venues must meet community standards and expectations and this funding will go a long way to achieving that goal.

“With female participation in sport growing at a rapid rate, the Government is responding to the need for safe and appropriate changing facilities for all genders, ages and abilities.”

As stated by Victoria Park MLA Hannah Beazley:

“This is a fantastic announcement for local football clubs that will allow more girls and people of all abilities to join in and play.

“The Cook Government is 100 per cent committed to improving accessibility to sporting facilities to ensure everyone has a chance to partake in sports.”

As stated by WAFC CEO Michael Roberts:

“Football continues to be the choice of sport for most Australians.

“We have experienced a rapid growth of 14.9 per cent in female Auskick participants from last year, and the PFL is the largest women’s competition in Australia.

“It’s necessary to cater to the increasing number of female participants and provide safe and welcoming spaces to ensure everyone can continue to enjoy our great game.

“The project will not only benefit the senior football clubs, but also others who utilise these venues, including 33 junior football clubs, other sporting codes and the wider community.

“The WAFC will continue to work with local and state governments and ensure long-term planning for all venues is still considered for the future benefits of sport.”