Romsey redbacks given boost to increase female participation

The Romsey Redbacks Football Netball Club is one of 23 community sporting organisations across the state set to benefit from the second round of the Victorian Government’s Change Our Game Community Activation Grants.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, welcomed the announcement, and congratulated the Romsey Redbacks for their successful bid.

Community Activation Grants are designed to help clubs and sporting organisations offer more Victorian women and girls the opportunity to participate and lead through sport and recreation.

The Romsey Redbacks will use the $5,000 grant to introduce girls to footy and recruit females for the 2019 season. The campaign will involve advertising and marketing, an intensive skills development program and a club open day targeted at girls.

The announcement comes on top of the Andrews Labor Government’s funding for new equipment for female cricketers at Kyneton Cricket Club and Hanging Rock Cricket Club and female friendly facilities at Daylesford’s Victoria Park, Riddells Creek Recreational Reserve, Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve, Hepburn Recreation Reserve, Kyneton Showgrounds, Woodend’s Gilbert Gordon Reserve and Lancefield Park.

The grants are part of the broader Victorian Government’s $241.6 million commitment to level the playing field for women and girls in sport and recreation.

Quote attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
"This is wonderful news for young girls aspiring to be footballers in Romsey."

"Local sporting clubs play a vital role in shaping community values and driving positive cultural change."

"For too long female sport participation rates have been lower than males. We’re fixing that, creating more opportunities for women and girls to participate and lead and be involved in all levels of sport and recreation."