Councils in Victoria will need to ensure women and girls have equitable access to sporting facilities to be considered eligible to receive future state government infrastructure funding.
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Many women and girls currently do not have access to the best courts or grounds, have facilities of lesser standard, or are relegated to less convenient competition and training times.
These barriers can limit participation and prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential.
Community Sport Minister Ros Spence said the fair access policy roadmap would "deliver greater health outcomes ... a stronger community sport and recreation sector, and fairer use of public sporting assets".
The new rules kick in from July 2024 and are designed for local governments, sport and recreation organisations, as well as other groups which manage publicly owned community sports infrastructure.
"This landmark policy will ensure all Victorian women can fully participate in and enjoy the benefits of community sport, with fair opportunity and access to their local facilities," Women's Minister Natalie Hutchins said.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy backed the principle of the edict, but said councils weren't getting enough government support for community infrastructure projects.
"If they want to actually tell councils to do these things and to upgrade infrastructure, then give them the support to do so," he told reporters.
"It's a good aim; it's an aim that has to be put in place, but it has to have the support behind it."
Australian Associated Press