AN EARLY CHRISTMAS present has landed for the Indented Head Yacht Club, with Federal Labor MP, Libby Coker, announcing an $800,000 grant to support an upgrade of the much-used clubhouse that also serves as a homebase for the Salty Bitches swimming group.

The grant funding will support a redevelopment of the female changerooms to ensure the facilities meet the needs of the local swimming group and repurpose the front of the clubhouse for social and training activities.

Ms Coker joined with members of both clubs to announce the successful funding application made through the Australian Government’s $200 million Play Our Way Program. The announcement was met with a roar of elation, mixed with a sigh of relief following a long period of hard-fought advocacy to secure a funding upgrade.

“This is an awesome outcome – the Yacht Club takes great pride in including the Salty Bitches, a group of women swimmers who gather daily at Indented Head, but we know the current clubhouse does not offer adequate female changerooms,” Ms Coker said. 

“Over 30 swimmers use the clubhouse every day, but they often need to get changed outside, and there is only one female shower and toilet available – this funding will change that reality.”

“I’d like to congratulate the Yacht Club and the Salty Bitches on putting forward such an awesome proposal – a proposal that’s all about supporting more women and girls to get involved in local sport.”

In 2023, IHYC collaborated with architects to create a plan, extending the facilities to be more inclusive and adaptable for different times of the day.

Vice Commodore of the Yacht Club, Peter Ellenby, said the design creates a welcoming environment, especially for women and girls who swim in the morning, enhancing inclusivity while reducing barriers to participation.

“The Play Our Way grant consolidates Indented Head Yacht Club as a community water-sport club,” Mr Ellenby said.

“We are very excited to rebuild our clubhouse for swimmers and sailors with much improved facilities that are both gender-equitable and appropriate to our needs.”

Salty Bitches Co-Founder, Sarah Fenton, said the Play Our Way funding is a gamechanger for Indented Head.

“The Salty Bitches spiritual home is a picnic table 300m away from the Yacht Club, where we met and swam and laughed for over three years through rain, hail or shine,” Ms Fenton said.

“About 18 months ago we were welcomed to the IHYC with open arms, giving us shelter, showers and a home base that has opened year-round ocean swimming to more people.”

“This is not only about an upgrade of the facilities, but an acknowledgement that by working together, our whole community can achieve great outcomes to improve both physical and mental health.”

Indented Head Yacht Club Inc. 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.

The Play Our Way program is designed to remove barriers, address discrimination and promote equality for women and girls to participate in sport and physical activity.

Federal Minister for Sport, Anika Wells, said the Play Our Way program will support more women and girls to get involved in local sport.

“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,” Ms Wells said.

“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.”

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.