MAJOR upgrades to the Mansfield Recreation Reserve’s changerooms are moving ahead, with Mansfield Shire Council announcing it has secured $1,280,772 in federal funding through the Play Our Way Program.

The project, named the Mansfield Female Inclusive Rooms Project, will modernise the facilities to promote inclusivity, particularly for women and girls in sports.

The new changerooms will be designed to be welcoming, accessible, and suitable for all players.

“It’s been a barrier to women and girls playing sport to know they didn’t have access to decent changerooms,” said Mayor Cr Steve Rabie.

“This barrier will be eliminated by this project and hopefully encourage more women to participate in sports.”

“We’ve listened to feedback from our local sporting groups that female-friendly amenities are an important part of helping women and girls feel comfortable to participate.”

In addition to the federal grant, council has allocated $22,250 from its budget.

An additional $22,250 will come from local sporting groups, with key contributions of $10,000 each from the Mansfield Football Netball Club and Mansfield Junior Football Club, $1000 from the Mansfield Junior Netball Club and Robinson Jiu Jitsu Australia, and $250 from Mansfield Gymnastics Club.

Bo Christopher from Mansfield Football Netball Club, welcomed the funding.

"The funding for upgrades to changerooms at the Mansfield Football Netball Club is a game-changer for female participation in sport,” he said.

“It's fantastic to see investments like this creating inclusive spaces that support the growth of women's sport at the community level.”

“Having somewhere our women’s football team can change and prepare for training and game day all year round before running onto the rec reserve will be so important to the continued growth of our women’s program.”

Michael Bretherton, from Mansfield Junior Football Club, agreed.

“The recent funding announced to deliver modern, welcoming, and inclusive unisex changerooms at the Mansfield Recreation Reserve is a fantastic step forward in supporting women and girls participating in sports and team activities,” he said.

“We have many junior girls participating in both Auskick and the junior football club program and the addition of safe, gender-inclusive spaces goes a long way in supporting their football journey through juniors and hopefully into the senior Mansfield women’s team one day.”

“This is a great outcome for the community with broad benefits for all girls and women, breaking down barriers to getting involved in team sports.”

Design work on the new changerooms is expected to start early in 2025.