Three Newcastle sports fields will share in more than $3.3 million worth of upgrades aimed at encouraging increased female participation while also catering for predicted population growth.
Funded by City of Newcastle and the NSW Government's Level the Playing Field Program, the projects will see Tarro Reserve and Johnson Park at Lambton receive new amenities buildings with female friendly change rooms, an accessible toilet, canteen, referees' room and storage.
New LED floodlighting that meets modern standards for training and matches will be installed at Johnson Park and Pat Jordan Oval at Carrington.
Additional improvements to Johnson Park will include drainage, as well as the relocation and replacement of the existing playground.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the projects are all about planning for the future.
As part of City of Newcastle's 10-year Strategic Sports Plan we want to renew and upgrade existing sportsgrounds to improve their functionality in order to meet the current and future needs of the community," Cr Nelmes said.
"These upgrades will deliver benefits for our communities, and help prepare for the population increases forecast under the new housing targets set by the NSW Government and draft Broadmeadow Place Strategy."
Preliminary work has begun on the project at Lambton, with the upgrade at Carrington expected to start in September.
Construction of the new amenities at Tarro will take place in 2025.
Newcastle City Junior AFL Club President Jon Clarke said the upgrade to Pat Jordan Oval will help to grow the game.
"This will create a safer, more welcoming environment for all of our players, but particularly for women who train at the ground," Mr Clarke said.
"It will facilitate more training sessions and competition opportunities and cater to the growing female participant demand."
State Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery welcomed the upgrades at Johnson Park and Tarro Reserve, which she said would make the grounds more inclusive for female players.
"I'm very pleased that Tarro Reserve and Johnson Park will receive these improvements, which will enable female players to have greater access to sport and recreational facilities," Ms Hornery said.
"We've seen the immense success of our Newcastle Knights women locally, and on a larger stage the brilliance of our Matildas football team. These successes have inspired many young women to participate in sport. I thank the NSW Government for providing this funding."
State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said the upgrades at Pat Jordan Oval will be well received by the local sporting community.
"Newcastle has some fantastic sports programs for women and girls," Mr Crakanthorp said.
"It is crucial that we encourage those programs to continue and grow so more local women and girls develop a lifelong love of sport and enjoy the benefits that it brings."
