Game-changer for female player surge

THE single, grimy changeroom at Clare Street Oval will be replaced with two new separate facilities to level the playing field for female soccer players as the game experiences an “explosion” in female numbers in recent years.

The home of the New Town White Eagles is undergoing a $1.3m City of Hobart project to upgrade the dilapidated grounds to accommodate the growing player base.

The new changerooms are welcome news for senior women’s captain Ellen Curtis, who said the female sports scene had grown from strength to strength.

When Ms Curtis was a little girl, there were no local female teams, and so she resorted to joining the boys’ team to get her soccer fix.

“I’ve made a lot of friends through soccer and it’s really changed my life in many ways, so anything that invites more people to the club and the game is a positive step,” Ms Curtis said.

“There’s a lot more women involved these days, so there is the potential for young women to join a full female team and grow in their own divisions and improve across the board.”

The old dingy changeroom had no doors on its showers and had to be shared on rotation for the men, women’s, and junior teams.

The upgrades include a $850,000 Hobart City Council grant with the Tasmanian government pitching in another $450,000.

The money covers the new changerooms, as well as a public toilet block, disability toilets, umpire rooms and new showers.

Liam Brown White Eagles president said there had been

an “explosion” in female sports for the New Town club, which previously did not have a women’s team.

Mr Brown said he hoped the shiny new facilities would attract some more players,

whether they be in the men’s, women’s or junior division.

“New extensions and buildings always catch the eye, as well as the recent success that the men’s and the women’s teams have been

having the past couple of years,” Mr Brown said.

Hobart City Council deputy mayor Helen Burnett said the Clare Street Oval was well due for an upgrade.

“Some young sports people,

including girls and people with disabilities, may have felt excluded previously,” Ms Burnett said.

“Everyone deserves safe and secure sporting facilities.”

kenji.sato@news.com.au