Women and girls in Mansfield will find it easier and more enjoyable to play sport and be active as a result of a  $1,280,772.00 grant to Mansfield Shire Council.

Mansfield Shire Council was selected to receive the funding under the Australian Government’s $200 million Play Our Way Program. This program is designed to remove barriers, address discrimination and promote equality for women and girls to participate in sport and physical activity.

It will use the money to deliver modern, welcoming, and inclusive unisex changerooms at the Mansfield Recreation Reserve. These new facilities will replace outdated home and away male changerooms with safe, gender-inclusive spaces designed to support women and girls participating in sports and team activities. By fostering a sense of belonging and providing the infrastructure they need, the Female Inclusive Rooms Project is helping to build a stronger, healthier, and more equitable sporting community.

Mansfield Shire Council is one of the 166 groups around the nation selected to receive Play Our Way funding for new or modified facilities for women and girls across a range of sports.

Funding will complement the $55.6 million offered to 124 organisations under Stream 2: Participation and Equipment, and will be offered nationwide, with a focus on facilities for women and girls who face additional barriers to participation. This includes women and girls who have a disability, are First Nations people or from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:

“Play Our Way is all about creating greater opportunities for women and girls to have an equal chance to get the fun, satisfaction and health benefits sport offers.

“The huge response to the grants, and the range of great project ideas, show that Australian communities want to be more supportive of women and girls.”

Quotes attributable to Senator Lisa Darmanin:

"Congratulations to the Mansfield Recreation Reserve team for this exciting project! It’s fantastic to see local initiatives like this receiving the support they deserve."

"The Female Inclusive Rooms Project will open up new opportunities for women and girls to participate in sport by providing facilities that meet their needs. It’s a big step toward making sport more inclusive for everyone."

"Everyone deserves the chance to enjoy the benefits of sport, and projects like this help remove the barriers that hold women and girls back. I can’t wait to see the positive impact this will have on our community.”

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MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Minister Wells                             Chris Garry                      0472 840 665

Senator Lisa Darmanin              Rose Steele Contact                 0405 000 680