The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) has welcomed increased funding for female sporting facilities from the State and Federal Governments.
The Federal Government has announced a $200 million “Play Our Way” program for equal-access facilities and to improve grassroots female participation.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has also announced an extra $20 million specifically for female facilities and a further $15 million for clubs to improve training and equipment for women.
QRU CEO David Hanham said the funding would help all sports continue to grow female participation.
“The success of the Matildas and our own Olympic and Commonwealth gold medal-winning Rugby Sevens team has inspired young girls across the State to pick up a ball,” he said.
“We saw women’s participation in Rugby boom by more than 400 percent after our Olympic gold medal in Rio and all rectangular sports are going to get another massive boost from the Matilda’s amazing run at the World Cup.
“Many grassroots clubs, especially in regional Queensland, share facilities across multiple codes, so this improved funding will create new, safe spaces for women and girls to play.
“Queensland has been leading the nation for providing inclusive facilities and this increased funding is critical to creating new female gold medallists for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
“We are encouraging all our clubs across Queensland to apply to build or upgrade their female changerooms and provide new female-specific equipment.”
