Council is contributing $96,000 to the female change facilities.
The Minister also announced Greater Shepparton as host of the 2016 AFL Girls Diversity National Championships, which will see 300 people from Indigenous/multicultural backgrounds taking part.
Greater Shepparton Mayor, Cr Dinny Adem said the development of the new female friendly facilities at Deakin Reserve will achieve a number of long term physical, social and financial benefits for existing users and will encourage increased participation in the sports.
“It will mean that more women and girls may choose to get involved in football and netball and go a long way to contributing to a healthy and happy community,” Cr Adem said.
“The AFL Girls Diversity National Championships will see more than 300 people from indigenous and multicultural backgrounds taking part in the event during the September school holidays with matches to be played at the Mooroopna Recreation Reserve and the finals at Deakin Reserve.
“The September school holidays will be jam packed with visitation with two week long events the Victorian Teacher Games and then the AFL Girls Diversity Nationals Championships creating more jobs for locals and keeping businesses busy and the economy strong.”
AFL Goulburn Murray General Manager Martin Gleeson added “AFL Goulburn Murray is excited to be involved in this historic event and to welcome talented indigenous and multicultural girls from across Australia to the region.”
“The event will not only profile the leading U15 female talent from across the country it will also engage with our local communities within Shepparton and surrounds through cultural exchanges, volunteer helpers and fan engagement,” Mr Gleeson said.
“With the event the first of its kind and leading into the AFL Grand Final there will be significant national exposure, let alone there being the first female National League starting next year.”
“Female participation numbers are growing massively across the country and from a local viewpoint, our female participation in Auskick is kicking along, Youth Girls numbers continue a steady climb and the region’s first open age female side starting up this season.”
“I also thank and greatly welcome the Minister’s announcement of the State Government funding for female friendly change rooms at Deakin Reserve. These facilities will only help to further encourage female participation, specifically in football and netball.”
