Women and girls in Newcastle will find it easier and more enjoyable to play sport and be active as a result of a $1.5 million grant to Newcastle University Rugby Union Club.

Newcastle University Rugby Union Club was selected to receive funding under the Albanese Labor Government’s $200 million Play Our Way Program. This program is designed to remove barriers, address discrimination and promote equality for women and girls to participate in sport and physical activity.

The club has been based out of Bernie Curran Oval for the past 70 years, however ageing facilities do not provide equitable access for women or girls, with no female changerooms.

With this funding, two dedicated female changerooms, an accessible bathroom and parents’ rooms will be delivered, providing an inclusive environment and enduring opportunity to grow female participation.

A covered spectator area and accessible ramp is also proposed to support families attending games and promote Bernie Curran Oval as a premier local sporting ground that accommodates all people, including women, girls and their families attending or participating in sporting events at the facility.

Newcastle University Rugby Union Club is one of the 166 groups around the nation selected to receive Play Our Way funding for new or modified facilities for women and girls across a range of sports.

Funding will complement the $55.6 million offered to 124 organisations under Stream 2: Participation and Equipment, and will be offered nationwide, with a focus on facilities for women and girls who face additional barriers to participation. This includes women and girls who have a disability, are First Nations people or from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:

“Play Our Way is all about creating greater opportunities for women and girls to have an equal chance to get the fun, satisfaction and health benefits sport offers.

“The huge response to the grants, and the range of great project ideas, show that Australian communities want to be more supportive of women and girls.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon:

“Congratulations to Newcastle University Rugby Union Club for its leadership in securing this grant funding.

“I am confident its project to increase female participation in Rugby Union, as well as Cricket, Touch Football and Rugby League, will have a very positive effect for women and girls in Newcastle.

“Every person should be given the opportunity to participate and enjoy sport, in their own way and at the level that suits them, and it’s great to be part of an Albanese Labor Government that is levelling the playing field.”

Quotes attributable to University of Newcastle Rugby Union Vice President Liam Wales-Brown:

“The benefit that the Play Our Way grant will provide to women’s sport in our area is immeasurable. In addition to female participation in Rugby Union there will be a tremendous benefit to our peers in Rugby League, Cricket, Touch Football, and Squash.”

“We would like to extend our thanks to the Federal Government for their consideration of this project and subsequent awarding of funding for it’s delivery.

“Without the grant we would not have been able to remove this barrier to female participation in Rugby Union. There is a long list of people that helped to take this project from an idea and turn it into a genuine plan – thankyou all very much for your assistance.”

“To our female players I would like to thank you for your patience and tolerance over the years, I’m thrilled that we are finally in a position to provide you with the facilities that you deserve and that are long overdue.”