Delivering for Cook: $8M investment to upgrade NRLW Sharks changerooms
Cronulla Sharks will match an elect Coalition government $4M investment.
Read about the NRLW Shaks changerooms upgrade announcement at news.com.au
MEDIA RELEASE
Over the last 10 years, the rapid rise of women's rugby league in the Sutherland Shire has been nothing short of remarkable. In 2015 there were just five registered NRLW players. Today the Sutherland Shire has grown to boast the highest female representation in NSW. This growth culminated in the Cronulla Sharks' NRLW team making history reaching the Grand Final NRL Women’s Premiership in 2024.
While the Sharks’ players’ success is impressive, their achievement comes in spite of the training facilities available to them. Currently, the NRLW Sharks and junior teams have no dedicated female changing rooms. Instead they share facilities with the mens teams, and make do with cramped conditions and inadequate shower facilities. Furthermore, visiting teams prepare in temporary demountables or across the road at the nearby De La Salle JRLFC.
Emma Tonegato, a Sharks NRLW Five-Eighth player, said "The current changerooms were designed for men, with only three toilets. You can imagine how hectic it gets on game day. We'd love to have private, enclosed showers, where each player has their own space to feel comfortable. That privacy is especially important for younger girls coming through the sport."
Alerted to the issue, Liberal MPs, Simon Kennedy, the Federal Member for Cook, in conjunction with Jenny Ware, the Federal Member for Hughes, have led a campaign backed by over 1000 signatures from the community to upgrade the women’s changerooms at Sharks Stadium.
Today that campaign is one step closer to reality. Mr Kennedy and Ms Ware have pledged $4 million to upgrade the Sharks female facilities if a Dutton-led Coalition forms government after the next election. That amount will be matched by the Sharks, bringing the total investment to $8 million.
This $8 million will be spent on a new dedicated set of changing rooms for female players at the Sharks Stadium, including showers, toilets and private medical rooms to provide private physiotherapy and medical services before and after games. It is envisaged the new investment will also help attract new talent to the Sharks’ teams as well as better support the teams’ performance on the field.
Simon Kennedy said "Female athletes in the Shire deserve better. This upgrade will provide the infrastructure needed to support the next generation of female rugby league players in the Sutherland Shire. Most other suburban grounds have received funding, and it’s beyond time the NRLW Sharks received their fair share.”
Quotes
"Investing in women's sport is about more than just facilities; it's about ensuring equality, respect, and opportunity for our female athletes," Jenny Ware MP.
"To think that our women wouldn't be forced to use rooms that certainly aren't suitable, and to accommodate our women and visiting female teams in facilities they deserve, would be amazing. It would be a game changer,"
"Well done to Simon, Jenny and to Peter Dutton and the Liberal government for listening and having the courage to support this initiative and to have the understanding as to how important this is for our community.” Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta.
“Thank you, Jenny and Simon, for even putting that out there. It's something that we've always wanted but it's never felt quite in our reach. This upgrade will be an absolute game changer.” Jada Taylor Sharks NRLW Fullback.
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