- Women's soccer club pavilion opens in Celebration Park, Balga
- Government has invested more than $156 million in more than 980 sport and recreation facility projects around WA
Premier Colin Barnett officially opened the upgraded pavilion for the Northern Redbacks Women's Soccer Club at Balga's Celebration Park today, which benefitted from $500,000 in State Government funding.
"The Liberal National Government is a strong supporter of football around Western Australia," Mr Barnett said.
"I remember visiting the club back in 2013 and seeing how the girls had to use the boys' change rooms. It wasn't appropriate so we provided funding as part of a 2013 election commitment to the City of Stirling to upgrade the club's amenities."
The funding went towards the design and construction of new and refurbished women's change rooms, storage space and associated club amenities at Celebration Park.
The Northern Redbacks Women's Soccer Club, the primary users of the pavilion, has about 100 playing members and has won 12 Premier League Championships and six cup trophies.
The Premier said the club had also welcomed 10 young new players into their ranks under the KidSport voucher scheme, which gives financial assistance to eligible families to help children aged five to 18 join a sport or active recreation club.
Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies said women's soccer continued to steadily increase in popularity, thanks in part to the success of the Westfield Matildas, Perth Glory Women and the profile of the US women's national team, which were attracting more girls to the game.
"We have strong participation rates for women in sport here in WA but there is always room for improvement, both on and off the field," Ms Davies said.
"Providing the appropriate facilities to make sure women feel included and having the appropriate space at our recreation facilities is very important in attracting and retaining members."
Fact File
- Since 2009, through the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund, the Government has invested more than $156 million in more than 980 sport and recreation facility projects around the State
- The fund exemplifies the Western Australian Government's commitment to the development of sustainable infrastructure for sport and recreation across the State
Premier's office - 6552 5000
