AFL Tasmania support the announcement by the State Labor Party to commit $4.8 million, to build and develop female friendly sporting facilities across Tasmania.
The state Football body said the commitment could not have come at a more opportune time, as the sport is currently undertaking a state-wide audit of all it’s community facilities.
“We are working in partnership with our clubs, local and state government, to ascertain the exact condition of all of our community infrastructure so that we can identify the gaps and improvements required in the future,” AFL Tasmania CEO Rob Auld explains.
“One obvious issue that has emerged already is that the majority of these community facilities are not female friendly,” he added.
Football in Tasmania is experiencing a significant spike in female participation, with 30% growth year on year, growth that is expected to only sky rocket over the coming decade.
Auld believes it is critical to see a facility investment focused on female friendly facilities, with some key elements including:
- change rooms,
- playing surface durability due to increased load,
- lighting to increase usage options,
- scoreboards and other amenities.
“The exponential increase in female participation is leading to a greater ground usage load on our community facilities and we need to future proof our community facilities, for the wave of growth.”
AFL Tasmania are determined to work with both sides of Government as well as other peak sporting bodies in addressing the need for investment in facilities, right across the state.
“Our sport is experiencing major growth through female football in particular and there are growing pains that go with that, where our existing facilities can not manage the needs and the numbers playing the sport.
“We would like to set a target in the future in partnership with all levels of Government and other organised sports to ensure that 100% of community sports infrastructure is female friendly complaint.”
A significant investment in female friendly facilities will increase equity, access and opportunities for existing and emerging female participants and officials in AFL and other sports across Tasmania.
“AFL W has delivered an outstanding opportunity for aspiring female athletes to play at the highest level. We want to be able to see Tasmanians from right across the state of both genders be in a position to pursue their sporting dreams,” Auld said.