A female-friendly future at North Ballarat

The City of Ballarat’s commitment to improved female sporting facilities has delivered another significant milestone, with the completion of the North Ballarat Football Netball Club Female Friendly Facility project.

City of Ballarat Deputy Mayor, Cr Amy Johnson and CEO Evan King were joined by Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and North Ballarat Football Netball Club representatives to officially open the $1.1 million facility on Friday.

The project included the construction of female friendly netball changerooms following the recent delivery of two new netball courts at the Mars Stadium precinct.

The City of Ballarat contributed $690,610 to the project, the State Government contributed $395,940 via its 2021 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund - Female Friendly Facilities stream, while the North Ballarat Football Netball Club contributed $10,000.

The City of Ballarat’s Active Women and Girls Strategy identified the need for improved female-friendly sporting facilities in Ballarat to promote increased sport participation rates among females.

In line with the Strategy, the completion of the North Ballarat Football Netball Club Female Friendly Facility project follows similar projects also delivered at Alfredton Recreation Reserve, Marty Busch Reserve and Russell Square.  

City of Ballarat Deputy Mayor, Cr Amy Johnson said the project was an example of the dedication Council had shown towards female-friendly sporting facilities and sport infrastructure more broadly.

“I’m incredibly proud to be part of a Council where we continue to unveil so many sporting facilities that mean so much not just to the sporting clubs that use them, but the community as a whole,” Cr Johnson said.

“There are about 130 female netballers at North Ballarat who will benefit from this project.

“We know that appropriate change facilities for females can be a big barrier that prevents active participation in sport, so constructing the right facilities is integral in addressing those issues.”

Juliana Addison said the facilities were crucial in increasing female participation in sport.

“Removing barriers to women and girls’ participation in sport is so important, that is why I’m so pleased to see that the Roosters now have these new facilities,” she said.

“The new facilities at North Ballarat mean that women and girls of all ages and abilities have access to appropriate changing rooms that will make them feel included and able to perform at their best.”

“Upgrading facilities like these means that even more participants can enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits that come from leading an active lifestyle and participating in sport and recreation.”

North Ballarat Football Netball Club director of netball Ali Driscoll said the project helped meet the club’s aim to increase female activity.

“North Ballarat Football Netball Club is pleased at last to have netball facilities that are suitable for the girls and women who play at Mars Stadium - not just our own members, but our opponents, visitors and the boarder community as well,” she said.

“These new facilities will support the strategic direction our club has to grow the participation of women in sport across our club. We are excited now to see them used to their full potential.”

The North Ballarat Football Netball Club Female Friendly Facility project is another demonstration of the City of Ballarat’s commitment to delivering a better Ballarat.