$672,200 GRANT FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SPORT IN LAPSTONE

Women and girls in Lapstone will find it easier and more enjoyable to play sport and be active as a result of a $672,200 grant to Blue Mountains City Council.

Blue Mountains City Council was selected to receive the funding under the Australian Government’s $200 million Play Our Way Program. This program is designed to remove barriers, address discrimination and promote equality for women and girls to participate in sport and physical activity.

It will use the money to upgrade the Lapstone Lower Netball Courts by replacing the old asphalt surface with a new, high-quality surface customised for netball. The new courts will provide a safer, more durable sustainable playing surface, attract and retain players, and reduce maintenance costs. This investment will ensure the facility remains a vital community asset.

Blue Mountains City Council 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.

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.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:

“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.

“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.”

Quotes attributable to Susan Templeman:

“I’m delighted that funding from the Play Our Way program has been allocated to this much-needed project.”

“Sport is a vital part of community life in the lower Blue Mountains and these upgrades will benefit every netball club that competes in the Blue Mountains Netball competition.”

“Investments like these demonstrate the Albanese Government’s commitment to women’s sport and our recognition of the important role that sport plays in bringing people together.”