Kelly Park clubrooms will be made more family and user friendly, after the Twin City Wanderers Football Club received a $200,000 grant to turn ensure female players have their own change rooms.
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Twin City president Harry Wilhelm said the World Game Facilities Fund grant from the Victorian government was designed to help clubs become more accessible to women and encourage of female participation.
Mr Wilhelm said the grant, along with a $70,000 grant from Wodonga Council and a $30,000 contribution from the club, would allow them to increase their two change rooms, to four.
“Currently with only two change rooms, in between games the ladies or the men have to wait for the other to get out and be done before they can get in and shower,” he said.
“Having four gives everyone the ability to come off the ground after the game and walk straight into a change room.”
Mr Wilhelm said the current 40-year old facilities didn’t discourage or stop women from participating, but the new facilities could be a drawcard for the club.
“I’m stoked, I’m stoked for the whole club and especially for the ladies we have playing with us from five years old to 45 years old,” he said.
“It’s great, they’ll feel more comfortable and it’ll make it more family friendly. It’s something the club has been looking to do for a few years now and now we’re fortunate enough to get the grant.”
Mr Wilhelm said unfortunately it had taken society and sports a while to acknowledge the prominent role of women and to facilitate them equally.
He said it was important clubs accommodated all players.
Wodonga Council’s sport and recreation manager Liona Edwards said the renovation would also reconfigure referee amenities while the building’s plumbing and electrical infrastructure will be replaced with more energy and water efficient alternatives.
“It will mean more equitable and appropriate facilities for the community, encouraging greater female and junior participation in football and cricket,” she said.
Work is not due to start until the 2019 winter season ends.