COALITION COMMITS $250 MILLION TO FEMALE SPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

The Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton on Tuesday announced that a future Coalition government will commit $250 million in funding over the next four years to improve the lives of future sporting stars nation-wide.

Off the back of the huge success and national support for the Matilda’s in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Diamonds in the Netball World Cup, and the Women’s Ashes team, this commitment aims to deliver long-term benefits by boosting female participation in sport and supporting grassroots sport in our country.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox supports this funding commitment and believes that it will make a lasting difference to the community and the lives of Dawson’s up-and-coming sporting stars.

“In rural and regional areas, unfortunately, sporting clubs and facilities are sometimes severely underfunded and under resourced, this means that our young people are forced to make do with substandard sporting infrastructure.

“This funding not only honours the achievements of Australia’s elite female athletes, but it will also mean better outcomes for the future generations of sporting stars here in my electorate of Dawson, as well as millions Australia wide.

“Too many young girls and women are disadvantaged when it comes to sport participation, often they are forced to change in sport club carparks and use the boys’ toilets, this funding will help bridge the gap and will provide proper facilities for these groups.

“This package is aimed at improving sporting facilities where young families live and where participation in sport is vital.

“I know of a few clubs in my electorate that rely on fundraising activities to maintain and improve their facilities, this funding commitment will provide a much-needed boost to these fundraising activities, giving our local communities the sporting infrastructure that they need and deserve.”

Under this new plan, the Coalition will invest $250 million to reduce barriers to participation for women and girls and is asking for support from states and territories to match the funding and bring it to a total of $500 million.

Recipients would need to demonstrate co-funding of at least 20 per cent of the project cost.