Female friendly boost for gisborne sports

The Gisborne Bulldogs Football Netball Club, Gisborne Rookies Junior Football Netball Club, Gisborne Giants Junior Football Netball Club and Gisborne Dragons Cricket Club are all set to take their game to a whole new level thanks to the completion of a range of new female friendly facility and lighting upgrades at Gardiner Reserve.

Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas today joined Macedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor, Cr Jennifer Anderson, members of the Bulldogs Football Netball Club and Dominic Andreacchio, Chairperson of the Bendigo Community Bank at Gardiner Reserve to officially open the new modular female friendly change rooms, and pavilion, a second netball court with lighting, and the upgraded oval lighting, made possible by a $600,000 investment package from the Victorian Government.

Football and netball are preparing to come bigger and better than ever in regional hubs like Gisborne.

The new netball court doubles the number of courts at the reserve and comes complete with lighting and acrylic surface that’s competition compliant, durable and weather resistant.

The extra court provides additional space for Gisborne home clubs to train, host regional development and pathway programs for players and umpires, and more competition games including night fixtures.

The new modular change rooms and pavilion are female friendly and include four change rooms with amenities, umpire change rooms, first aid rooms, accessible toilet and storage. There is also a publicly accessible toilet with baby change space.

The new facilities complement the upgraded oval lighting at the reserve.

Together the new female friendly upgrades provide a great space for local sports to host the big games and the perfect place for community groups and nearby schools to use for meetings, events and local celebrations.

The Victorian Government has invested more than $1.1 billion in community sport and recreation infrastructure since 2014.

From netball court redevelopments to pavilion upgrades, investments like these provide high-quality and accessible places for Victorians to reap the benefits of sport and active recreation participation.

They are all about creating jobs, stimulating local economies, and fast-tracking community recovery by improving the health, wellbeing, and social outcomes for Victorian communities.

Ms Thomas acknowledged the Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Gisborne Bulldogs, Bendigo Community Bank Gisborne Branch, and AFL Victoria for their commitment and financial contributions to the projects.

For more information about infrastructure grant opportunities available through the Victorian Government visit www.sport.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas
"The Gisborne Bulldogs, Dragons, Giants and Rookies clubs are an integral part of this community – they deserve appropriate facilities they can be proud of."

"The new netball court, change rooms and lighting open more opportunities for participation at this popular reserve, and provide the perfect foundation for the clubs to build on their memberships and the community to host the big events."

"Better sport and recreation facilities make it easier for Victorians to get back to local sport and recreation and lead healthy and active lifestyles."