Australian-first Female Friendly Sport Infrastructure Guidelines were unveiled on Monday, compounding pressure on local governments to make sporting facilities more welcoming for women and girls. 

The online guide, released by the state government, is divided into three sections: Planning and design; maximising use; and policy that drives change. 

“There are more Victorian women and girls playing grassroots sport than ever before, but too often their facilities are rundown or non-existent. We’re fixing that,” state Minister for Sport John Eren said. 

“The Female Friendly Sports Infrastructure Guide puts the power in the hands of clubs, council builders and architects to make a big difference to Victorians.”

The guide quotes the International Working Group on Women in Sport, which found that the extent, variety and accessibility of facilities influences women’s participation in sport:

“The planning, design and management of these should appropriately and equitably meet the particular needs of women in the community,” the guide reads.

City of Greater Bendigo community wellbeing acting director Michael Smyth said council would take the new guidelines into consideration when considering future upgrades to sports facilities and grant applications.

“Council already has a range of guidelines that are considered as part of the development of new facilities and upgrades to existing facilities, including universal access, fit for purpose and multi-use,” he said.

A review of the municipality’s sporting grounds is underway, in conjunction with AFL Central Victoria and Netball Victoria. 

”The city already conducts regular audits of its facilities as part of the management of its sports facilities across the municipality, and will continue to do so,” Mr Smyth said. 

He said sporting grounds without adequate facilities – “including courts, lighting and change facilities” – would be considered for funding applications first.

“Projects are prioritised according to merit, eligibility to available grant programs, and capacity for clubs to contribute towards the project,” Mr Smyth said. 

“New female change facilities are not a priority for the Queen Elizabeth Oval, as existing female change facilities are already provided. 

“New female change facilities are part of the Master Plan, but this is subject to finding.”

Cath Robertson, who described the facilities at the QEO as “primitive”, organised a tour of Fleetwood Bendigo on Monday to highlight the potential of modular buildings.

She said the solution to the lack of suitable amenities at the ground could be as cost-effective and convenient as those at Kilmore. 

Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters and City of Greater Bendigo candidate Margaret O’Rourke attended.

Each summed up their impressions of the tour in a short Twitter video: