The Andrews Labor Government is supporting the Victorian Football League (VFL) and female participation in sport, by providing $1.5 million to upgrade the home of the Williamstown Football Club.

Parliamentary Secretary for Treasury and Finance Daniel Mulino and Member for Williamstown Wade Noonan today announced the funding, which will enable the club to build two additional uni-sex change rooms and upgrade lighting at Burbank Oval.

The project will provide state-of-the-art change rooms and match-day facilities that accommodate female participation, and support all user groups at Burbank Oval, including the Williamstown VFL and VFLW teams and the Western Jets male and female teams.

Upgraded lighting at the ground will allow more flexibility in fixturing VFL, VFLW and TAC tenant club matches, thereby expanding the opportunities for hosting more community football games at Williamstown.

The upgrades will be funded through the Labor Government’s $100 million Community Sports Infrastructure Loans scheme.

The scheme provides low-interest loans of between $500,000 and $10 million for councils, clubs and organisations, to deliver and improve community sport and recreation infrastructure.

Since November 2014, the Andrews Labor Government has invested more than $420 million in community sport and recreation facilities, and earlier this year provided almost half a billion dollars in the Victorian Budget 2018/19 to support sport and active recreation at all levels throughout the State.

Quote attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas

“We’re getting on with delivering high-quality sport and recreational facilities to support female coaches, players and staff to pursue their sporting dreams.”

Quote attributable to the Parliamentary Secretary Daniel Mulino

“Sporting clubs are at the heart and soul of local communities and are also important for health and well-being. The new facilities will encourage locals to get out and get active and participate within their community.”

Quote attributable to Member for Williamstown Wade Noonan

“We’re delighted to give Williamstown a lending hand with the new game-changing facilities they need so even more women and girls can get on the park.”