Mr Birrell spoke in parliament last week about the dire state of a number of local sports facilities and the need for the Labor Government to replace regional funding schemes established by the Coalition, after they were scrapped in the October 2022 budget.
Mr Birrell spoke about the women’s change facilities at the Murchison-Toolamba Football Netball Club, which the club has been wanting to upgrade for decades.
“The AFL audited 3000 facilities across Victoria, and Murchison-Toolamba Football Netball Club president Craig Thompson confirmed publicly that the club ranked in the bottom 10 per cent,” Mr Birrell told parliament.
“The tiny female change room has space for three players at a time and one shower.
“This year the club has 80 netballers in eight teams and 10 girls playing football at junior level.
“Despite the lack of facilities, the female participation rate has gone up — a credit to the players and the club.”
He said although netball participation had remained strong for decades, and participation by women in Australian rules was rapidly growing, club facilities were not keeping up.
“Longwood has six netball sides but no dedicated female facilities,” Mr Birrell said.
“President Ricki Shiner told me on game day at Redlegs Stadium there are 130 players — two toilets and no showers.
“Women change behind a curtain in a shed.
“We can’t promote female participation and not provide facilities.”
Mr Birrell is continuing to visit netball and football clubs across the electorate and is aiming it to train with every club during his first term, seeing facilities first-hand and speaking to constituents.
“It is the Australian Government that needs to step up and invest in inclusive facilities that foster greater participation,” Mr Birrell said.
“This government created its own regional grant streams in October but nearly six months later hasn’t released guidelines or a single dollar.
“Get on with it — show some respect to regional communities.”
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