BALLARAT-Redan's Samantha Sculley was one of the first females to play senior cricket in Ballarat about 15 years ago. Only now does Ms Sculley start to feel a little closer to equality when it comes to match facilities.
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Wendouree MP Juliana Addison confirmed a $3.7 million election pledge from November 2018 had been signed off for Alfredton Recreation Reserve on Monday. This, in addition to $1.1 million from City of Ballarat, is set to transform the sporting hub - and a key feature is for female change facilities.
Ms Sculley said it was exciting to have so many girls taking up cricket in the junior blast at Alfredton and now there would be the change facilities to help them feel more welcome.
Ballarat Football Netball Club vice-president Craig Lightfoot said the Swans and Storm had added 15 female teams alone within the past two-and-a-half years, including 10 netball and five female football teams. There have also been six new junior boys football teams.
But the Swans had not had any female change facilities since relocating to Alfredton from City Oval about 25 years ago.
The project also includes upgrades to team and expanded social club rooms, the outdoor undercover viewing area - replacing existing structure which was installed as a temporary fixture in the early 1990s - cricket nets, parking and a digital scoreboard. Netball change rooms will be installed where the existing football change rooms stand.
"This will go along way to allow that growth to continue and show how important that sport is," Mr Lightfoot said.
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The redevelopments will also benefit fellow Alfredton tenant Ballarat Memorial Sports Bowls Club, which has been based at the precinct for 11 years. BMS president Kevin McLean said the project made for an exciting future for his club and sports development in the area.
A separate City of Ballarat grant of $350,000 will allow for resurfacing on the Alfredton number two oval, which is predominantly used by booming junior sports programs.
Wendouree MP Juliana Addison said this was an important investment for the fast-growing Alfredton and Lucas communities, with facilities also nearby Alfredton and St Thomas More primary schools.
We know many women and girls are deterred (from sport) because they have to get changed in the car or behind buildings. We traditionally haven't had the change rooms that women and girls deserve.
- Wendouree MP Juliana Addison
"We're very proud of our commitment to women and girls' sport," Ms Addison said.
"We know many women and girls are deterred (from sport) because they have to get changed in the car or behind buildings. We traditionally haven't had the change rooms that women and girls deserve and we're setting that right."
City of Ballarat is set to put the project to tender. Redevelopment works are touted to last 12 months.
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