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The Queensland Government has announced a new $15 million Female Facilities Program to improve access to sporting opportunities for women.

Following similar programs in South Australia and Victoria, Queensland Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni today launched the new program, part of the Get in the Game initiative, at the Burleigh Bears rugby league club.

Explaining the initiative Minister de Brenni stated “the Female Facilities Program is an exciting new fund to support the construction of female amenities in sport and recreation clubs around the state.

“We know one of the barriers for women and girls to participate in sport is outdated and often non-existent female amenities and change rooms in sport and recreation locations.

“Many clubs across the state were built in an entirely different era, when far fewer women and girls played club sport or participated in active recreation, if at all.

“The Female Facilities Program aims to address this identified need for dedicated female amenities so that we can encourage more women and girls to get involved in sport and active recreation.”

Australian Rugby League Jillaroos Head Coach, Brad Donald, commended the investment, stating “iis fantastic that the state government and sporting clubs like the Burleigh Bears are getting behind initiatives to make sport at all levels more accessible for women and girls,” Mr Donald said.

“It is challenging to find venues that cater for the whole community and their needs and this initiative will help women and girls at all levels.”

Gold Coast Titans Chief Executive Graham Annesley echoed Donald’s remarks, adding “sport is an important part of the social fabric of all communities, but it can only be truly inclusive if facilities underpin and encourage access for all participants.

“This government investment will provide a real boost for the women and girls who will no longer be disadvantaged due to a lack of quality facilities.”

The program will see the invest of $15 million over two years to support the development of new infrastructure and upgraded facilities to better cater for women and girls, with grants of up to $500,000 available to develop fit-for-purpose female change room facilities and amenities that meet the current and future needs of our communities.

Minister de Brenni concluded “we want to provide more opportunities for Queenslanders to participate in sport and active recreation at the grassroots level, and by encouraging organisations to build suitable facilities we’ll be providing better access to all.

“We want to see more women and girls getting outdoors, staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“In the coming months, we’ll be liaising with councils and sport and recreation organisations to encourage them to get on board with this great initiative.”

Applications for grants from the Female Facilities Program will open in early October 2017 with information available at www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/getinthegame/

Image used for illustrative purposes only.

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