Fresh changerooms for girls

By Luke Ellery, Vice President of the Northern Districts Tigers Juniors Australian Football Club

The Northern Districts Tigers Australian Football Club kicked off their year with a focus on diversity and inclusion. The club has enjoyed a surge of interest in the female game, form an initial three players in 2018, to now nearly 100 across four girls’ teams and two women’s teams.

To support female participation, the Tigers received grants from Wollongong City Council and the NSW Government to refurbish the changerooms at Hollymount, Woonona, to include shower screening with changing partitions.

At the opening ceremony Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the Tigers were “an excellent club that worked hard to support diversity and inclusion and have done an excellent job in upgrading the facilities, which look great.

“We are focused on ensuring all 62 council sporting facilities are suitable for female participation and it’s great to see so many girls playing sport.”

NSW Government MP Ryan Park said: “I am delighted to have been able to secure funding for this modern and professional female changeroom and amenities for the Tigers, Butchers cricket club and community, under the Community Building Partnerships Program. As your local member I am proud to support local sport in our region with modern facilities that ensure everyone feels safe and feels proud of their local sporting ground.”

Tigers president Matt Phillips said: “It’s great to get government support for these initiatives, and Onboard Building have done a quality job with attention to detail. We look forward to more kids signing up to play with the Tigers and kicking some goals!”

Following the opening, the Tigers roared into action with their pre-season training – the Tiger’s Academy which runs until 9 March.

Tania Jones from the Tigers explained: “Tiger’s Academy is an opportunity for new players interested in Australian Rules to try their skills supported by our coaches and kids from the more senior teams. It is a lot of fun!”

To find out more about the Tigers, visit www.ndafc.com.au