An Albanese Labor Government will commit $1.2 million to fund multiple works for the Barwon Heads Football Netball Club.

The works will include upgrades to a new netball pavilion, including new change rooms, toilets and team rooms, and upgrades to lighting at the Howard Harmer oval.

Local Federal MP, Libby Coker, said the funding was much deserved and would cater for a club experiencing rapid growth. 

“It’s astounding how this club has grown over the years, from a one team club to now having eight hundred and seventy players. The club now has seventeen netball teams,” Ms Coker said. 

“The club also has a lot of difficulty sourcing funds as they are not on council land. They are on foreshore land, so it is very important they get some extra help.

“The netball side of the club has been operating out of a modified donga, an ageing, second hand portable. This does not really encourage participation. We need to provide modern changing and clubroom facilities to make the girls and women comfortable and maximise participation.

“The lighting is also very important to participation in winter sports. The club currently operates with 50 lux lights, which by today’s standards is not very safe. Good lighting is important to maintaining a high standard of training, and as the old saying goes, you play at a standard that you train.

“The new 200 lux lights will improve the standard of training and mean the club can also host night matches, which is important to encouraging social participation at the club.

“I congratulate the club for prioritising the needs of netball, and the girls and women playing at the club. Often the needs of this group gets left behind but they have been made the number one priority. It’s great to see.”