New female-friendly changerooms at GIO Stadium


Released 11/03/2020

Female athletes will benefit from upgraded change rooms and facilities at GIO Stadium as part of the ACT Government’s commitment to providing equitable access to sport and recreation.

Minister for Sport and Recreation and Minister for Women Yvette Berry joined players from the women’s Brumbies at GIO Stadium to unveil the improvements.

“Sporting facilities have been traditionally been designed for male participants without considering the female athletes and officials. The ACT Government invested $500,000 to for upgrades to the address these issues at Canberra’s GIO Stadium,” Minister Berry said.

“We are committed to supporting participation for women and girls involved in sport across the ACT and to supporting our local teams and athletes.

“The ACT is a leader in women's elite and semi-professional sports and simple changes to facilities reduce the barriers that some women face when participating in sport and recreation.

“Improving facilities and changing rooms is part of a range of measures being undertaken by the ACT Government to support women in sport.”

Since 2016, over $1.1 million has been allocated to upgrading 16 sporting and recreation facilities across the territory to ensure they include female friendly additions.

Aligning with the ACT Government’s Female Friendly Change Rooms @ Sporting Facilities Guidelines, the upgrades mean that the facilities now provide a welcoming space for all athletes and include:

  • lockable shower cubicles
  • power points for accessories adjacent to wet areas
  • individual toilet cubicles
  • privacy considerations
  • shelving in appropriate locations for personal accessories.

One of the first teams to use the facilities will be the women’s Brumbies team when they take on the Queensland Reds at GIO Stadium on Sunday, 15th March.

Quote attributable to Brumbies co-captain Michaela Leonard

Brumbies co-captain Michaela Leonard said: "It's really great the ACT Government is supporting women's sport and considering our needs at the venue."

"We can't wait to play at GIO against the Queensland Reds in front of our home supporters on Sunday and check out the new facilities."

- Statement ends -

Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases


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