New community sport infrastructure will have to cater for everyone to be considered for funding from the Victorian Government.
Community Sport Minister Ros Spence has launched a three-phase initiative that will set minimum standards of access across the state.
The Fair Access Policy Roadmap aims to ensure women and girls have access to the best courts or grounds, have facilities of equal standard, and are not relegated to less convenient competition and training times.
Improving the community sports infrastructure for women and girls will also remove barriers to participation.
“The Fair Access Policy Roadmap will deliver greater health outcomes for all Victorians, a stronger community sport and recreation sector, and fairer use of public sporting assets,” Ms Spence said.
From July 2024, all Victorian councils will need to ensure equitable access to sporting facilities for people of all genders to be considered eligible to receive infrastructure funding from the government.
The roadmap features three key phases: education, readiness and progress. It is designed for local governments, sport and recreation organisations and other groups that manage publicly owned community sports infrastructure.
In the first phase commencing this year, the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation will provide training, education and support to local councils, peak bodies and facilities to help them implement the roadmap.