Western Australian Government to fund upgrading of 52 Perth sports ground changerooms

The Western Australian Government is allocating $1 million to support a project to retrofit and upgrade changeroom facilities at 52 community football venues throughout the Perth metropolitan area.

With female participation in sport growing at a rapid rate across the state, the WA Government is responding to the need for safe and appropriate changing facilities for all genders, ages and abilities.

The project, spearheaded by the West Australian Football Commission (WAFC) and Perth Football League (PFL) in collaboration with 22 local governments, aims to create a safer and more inclusive environment at community sporting venues.

The money from the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) will be added to funding from the WA Football Facilities Fund and the West Coast Eagles Royalty Reserve to renovate the 52 player and umpire changerooms.

This project focusing on metropolitan Perth follows on from similar retrofitting initiatives in regional areas of WA already carried out or being planned.

Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister, David Templeman noted “the changeroom facilities at our community sporting venues must meet community standards and expectations and this funding will go a long way to achieving that goal.”

WAFC Chief Executive Michael Roberts added "football continues to be the choice of sport for most Australians.

"We have experienced a rapid growth of 14.9% in female Auskick participants from last year, and the PFL is the largest women's competition in Australia.

"It's necessary to cater to the increasing number of female participants and provide safe and welcoming spaces to ensure everyone can continue to enjoy our great game.

"The project will not only benefit the senior football clubs, but also others who utilise these venues, including 33 junior football clubs, other sporting codes and the wider community.

"The WAFC will continue to work with local and state governments and ensure long-term planning for all venues is still considered for the future benefits of sport."

Image. Credit: WAFC - The West Australian Football Commission (WAFC) announced that the 2024 WAFLW Grand Final will be staged at Pentanet Stadium in Joondalup.