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Women's sport gets $150m change room boost

The federal budget will include a new $150 million funding package for the development of female change rooms at sporting grounds and swimming pools.

Ashleigh Barty
Ashleigh Barty is preparing for this weekend's semi final. Source: AAP

Sporting grounds and swimming pools across Australia are set to get new and upgraded female change rooms with the help of federal funding aimed at "backing in" women in sport.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced the budget will include a new $150 million funding package dedicated to supporting the development of female change room facilities.

"Female change rooms should be standard, they shouldn't be an exception," Mr Morrison said in a statement on Saturday.

Mr Morrison said more women are playing sport and they need to be supported from entry level through to the elite, including in sports previously dominated by men.

"This (funding) is our practical way of backing in women's sport and building even stronger communities," he said.

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Sam Kerr, left, celebrates with her Matildas teammates Source: Getty Images

Sport Minister Bridget McKenzie said there is a "tsunami" of women taking up sport across Australia, but often they don't have access to appropriate changing facilities.

"(This results) in them having to get changed behind towels on the side of fields or in cars, and having to go home for showers," she said.

"This is a major deterrent for women wanting to participate and to feel like they are welcome in clubs across many sports."

The Morrison government will also add $40 million for a third round of its Community Sport Infrastructure grant program, increasing the commitment to $100 million.

Launched in 2018, the program allows community sports organisations to apply for grants of up to $500,000 to upgrade infrastructure, and has so far funded 458 projects.

"We've seen new netball courts, upgraded playing fields, flood lighting, canteens and disability access paths constructed right across the country," Senator McKenzie said.


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