Girls enjoy change for the best

THE season hasn’t even started and South East Suns are already kicking goals after news their training facilities at Pembroke Park will finally get much-needed unisex change rooms, thanks to a $630,000 grant to Sorell Council from the State Government.

Suns player Mahalia Davies, 25, said the days of changing discreetly in the carpark would soon be over. “The facilities are pretty poor at the moment,” she said.

“It will be great to have the changes room because all we have at the moment is just the female toilets with two stalls.”

Sorell Mayor Kerry Vincent said it was a massive win for the region.

“Pembroke Park is a regional sports centre where people come together from the Coal Valley as far up as Triabunna to play sport,” he said. “While Pembroke Park has been growing it lacks a lot of facilities for the ladies. This will take a lot of pressure off existing facilities and teams.”

The funding was courtesy of the Government’s $10 million Levelling the Playing Field program for women’s and girls’ sport facilities. Sport Minister Jacquie Petrusma said 21 organisations from across the state had been successful in receiving funding under the first round of the grants program.

“Our Levelling the Playing Field program is by far the largest investment per capita by any state or territory government, and it proudly shows the Government’s commitment to women’s sport,” she said. “The Government is committed to removing barriers for more female participation in sport, which is why we are making sure our facilities are up to scratch.”

Ms Davies praised the Government for its program.

“The initiative is fantastic to recognise there has been that gap, and the Government working to level it is a huge step in progress,” she said.

Cr Vincent will soon begin discussions with engineers and contractors about building the change rooms.