Women and girls kicking goals (Media release)

Significant investment is being made across Merri-bek to improve community sports facilities and to encourage more women and girls to get active.

Officially opened this week, new female-friendly change rooms at Raeburn Reserve – which comply with the AFL’s Preferred Facility Guidelines – have been welcomed by the Pascoe Vale Sports Club, which has multiple female and junior teams.

Speaking at the opening, Merri-bek’s Mayor John Kavanagh said Council was excited to support clubs that are providing opportunities for more women and juniors to play sport.

“The benefits of this significant investment offers more Merri-bek residents the opportunity to be more active, more often,” said Cr Kavanagh.

For the last nine years Council has been working hard to encourage increased female participation in sport – building on low rates of physical activity.

“Partnering with local sporting clubs, female sport participation in Merri-bek has increased by 175% since 2010. Part of that increase is supported by improvements like those at Raeburn Reserve, in the standard of recreation facilities,” said Cr Kavanagh.

The new facilities were jointly funded by Merri-bek City Council ($330,000), The Victorian State Government ($100,000) and the Pascoe Vale Sports Club ($100,000).

Female football is thriving in Merri-bek and the Pascoe Vale Football Club is kicking goals by hosting six teams in the competition – and nearly all are featuring in the top half of the ladder.

Get active and get involved at Active Merri-bek.

28 June 2018