Nightcliff Oval is set to receive a new change room complex, aimed at providing an inclusive environment for oval users and improving opportunities for gender-specific programs, thanks to funding from the Australian Government’s Play Our Way program.
The program provides funding for local initiatives to address participation barriers faced by women and girls, and the new changeroom facility at Nightcliff Oval will enable Nightcliff Football Club and Nightcliff Cricket Club to welcome new female players, umpires, coaches and volunteers.
Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said City of Darwin, in conjunction with AFL NT, was thrilled to receive the funding, which will assist in achieving the objectives set out in the Nightcliff Oval Masterplan.
“A key project in the Masterplan and an immediate priority for AFL NT and the Nightcliff Football Club was the development of a new four-room change room complex, aimed at providing an inclusive environment for oval users,” Mr Vatskalis said.
“This project will provide safe, accessible, fit-for-purpose change room facilities for users of the oval, particularly women and girls.
“Building new change rooms will allow women and girls a greater opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity safely and comfortably.
“With greater participation comes increased community health, gender equity and social cohesion benefits, and it is fantastic that we can deliver this with the assistance of the Play Our Way grant funding.
“We look forward to working with AFL NT on this project, which will further increase participation in sporting activities from all genders and abilities,” he said.
City of Darwin undertook extensive community consultation for the project, and the majority of feedback was supportive, with 90 per cent of respondents agreeing with AFL NT’s proposal to construct new changeroom facilities, including appropriate changeroom and bathroom facilities for non-male players.
Nightcliff Oval is one of City of Darwin's District Level grounds, home to AFL and Cricket training and competitions.
The new facility will ensure Nightcliff Oval can accommodate senior and junior AFL and cricket training and competitions, allowing Nightcliff Football Club and Nightcliff Cricket Club to grow participation and spectators at matches and events.
The changerooms will ensure equitable access to facilities, provide more spaces and opportunities for gender-specific programs and reduce discrimination and inequality that prevent women and girls from participating in sport and physical activity.
The Play Our Way grant will provide $1.5 million in funding for the new change room complex with City of Darwin and AFL NT each committing a further $250,000 to the project.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Hon Anika Wells MP:
“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 Federal Member for Solomon and Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans’ Affairs and Northern Australia, Mr Luke Gosling OAM MP:
“Congratulations to the Nightcliff Football and Cricket Clubs and the City of Darwin for their successful application for this grant.”
“The Nightcliff Oval Change Room Project will provide new safe, accessible, inclusive, fit-for-purpose change room facilities for year-round users of the oval, particularly women and girls. This project will have a very positive effect for women and girls in our community promoting a greater opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity safely and comfortably.”
“Every person has the right to enjoy sport, in their own way and at the level that suits them.”
Quotes attributable to AFL NT Facilities and Government Partnerships Manager NT, Katrina Kawaljenko:
“AFLNT is proud to support the development of the new change rooms at Nightcliff Oval, which represents a significant step towards making local sport more inclusive. More than 40% of AFL participants in the Northern Territory are female – nearly double the national average – and this facility will help us continue to foster that growth.
“The new changerooms will not only provide safe, accessible spaces but will also encourage even greater participation from women and girls, ensuring they have the same opportunities to play, coach, umpire, and volunteer as their male counterparts.
“This project is a direct result of the strong partnership between the City of Darwin, AFLNT and the Nightcliff Football Club and we thank the Australian Government for their support through the Play our Way Grant. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these facilities will have on our sport and the wider community.”