Local and visiting sportswomen will soon have dedicated female changerooms at Freebody and Seiffert Ovals in Queanbeyan, providing better comfort, increased safety and encouraging more women to become involved with their local sporting clubs.
The NSW Government has provided $2.1 million for the construction of new dedicated female changerooms for the Kangaroos Rugby League Club at Freebody Oval, and the renovation of an existing amenities block at Seiffert Oval for the Queanbeyan Blues Rugby League Club to include women's amenities.
In addition, the Federal Government has provided $1 million for the work on the rooms at the Freebody Oval.
These major new and upgraded facilities will support the growing number of female rugby league players in the region and will address the major scheduling issues associated with women and men's teams sharing the current facilities.
Female changerooms will also encourage greater local female participation, with players now able to change at the venue, rather than having to change before travelling to training.
The rooms will also provide a dedicated space for athletes to prepare before a match and to celebrate after the game.
Construction and renovation work is being managed by Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council and is scheduled to commence in late 2024. Work at both ovals is expected to be completed in 2025.
The NSW Government's commitment to promoting women's participation in sport also includes:
- $250,000 to Sport NSW to deliver the Female Leadership and Fair Play Project which will expand on Sport NSW's female leadership and Fast Track for Female Coaches program
- $30 million to the Level the Playing Field Program which will revive sport facilities by providing new or upgrading existing sport facilities, amenities and sporting fields including new and upgraded lighting that will enable more women and girls to train and compete in sport in a safe and inclusive environment.
Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain said:
"Sporting clubs are the life and blood of our local communities, but they need suitable facilities if they are going to be viable in bringing us together.
"Freebody Oval is used year-round by the Kangaroos and the Queanbeyan Cricket Club, but the facilities are in dire need of improvements - which is why this $1 million in federal funding will make a huge difference.
"These are growing clubs, we are seeing more kids sign up, more young girls keen to play and more women playing as well, so we need to make sure our girls and women are accommodated for."
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:
"Sport plays a major role in bringing together our regional communities, and a lack of dedicated female facilities is often a barrier to encouraging participation in sport and with local clubs.
"Women's rugby league is more popular than ever, especially in our regions, and these changerooms will provide much needed local facilities that will serve these clubs for generations to come.
"These facilities will help drive participation in sport in Queanbeyan and help support a further rise in female memberships that has already seen steady growth over recent years."
Member for Monaro Steve Whan said:
"The women's game is growing across the state and especially here in Queanbeyan, the fans are loving it and wanting to come and support the players.
"These new facilities will encourage more talented young players to become part of the game with many hoping to take the next step into bigger competitions."
President of the Kangaroos Rugby League Club Ian Baker said:
"Our Club has a rich history, going back to 1966. We have achieved many impressive feats in our time, including 10 First Grade Premierships, however, one of our most exciting achievements in the past few years has been the development of our women's sides.
"With 50 female players in our Senior Club and 101 in our Junior Club, the amenities upgrades will allow us to further build the capacity of the women playing for the Queanbeyan Kangaroos."
General Manager from the Queanbeyan Blues Rugby League Club Jeremy Wyatt said:
"Having the upgraded facilities will allow our sport to grow and have the facilities to cater for the ever-increasing participation of female athletes.
"The Queanbeyan community will be proud to have up to date facilities for all to enjoy."
Kenrick Winchester Mayor Queanbeyan Palerang Council said:
"The Queanbeyan region is a rugby league heartland and it is fantastic to have the support of the Australian and NSW Governments to build these much needed facilities.
It will be great for our local players to have appropriate and high quality facilities that support the continued growth of women's rugby league."
