The Gold Coast Suns welcome Federal and State Labor’s commitment towards new women’s change facilities to be built at the Suns’ Training and Administration base, the Austworld Centre.
A Shorten Labor Government will invest $1million towards the new facilities, with an additional $500,000 commitment from the Palazczuk Labor Government.
Gold Coast Suns Head of Women’s Football, Fiona McLarty welcomed Federal and State Labor’s commitment.
“On behalf of the club, including our inaugural AFLW players and the hundreds of girls that participate in our programs across the state we welcome the commitment from Federal & State Labor which will help us provide the best possible facilities for our teams,” McLarty said
“We have seen a groundswell of community support since the Suns were awarded our AFLW licence and the anticipation surrounding our entry to the competition will continue to build in the coming months.
“The arrival of a Gold Coast Suns AFLW team will inspire true equality for females throughout the Gold Coast, North Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
“We aspire to be the best club in the country at integrating our Male and Female Academies and pathways, all the way up to our elite AFL teams and we can’t wait to join the AFLW competition in 2020.”
The Suns have an ambitious goal, to deliver the highest quality change facilities for their new women’s team. Labor’s contribution is a big step towards kicking that goal.
Labor can invest in a fair go for all Australians because we have made the tough budget decisions to make multinationals pay their fair share of tax, close tax loopholes used by the top end of town, and we won’t give the big banks a tax cut.
Gold Coast-based Senator Murray Watt said Federal Labor’s investment would help build top notch change facilities for the Coast’s newest elite football team.
“Next year will see the Suns enter the hugely successful AFLW competition, for the first time,” Senator Watt said.
“This is an exciting next stage in the Suns’ development and Labor is keen to help the club and its outstanding women players.
“Federal Labor backs the Suns’ goal, of ensuring its women players have the very best facilities for this new beginning.
State Member for Gaven, Meaghan Scanlon MP, said the announcement was a big step forward for women’s sport on the Gold Coast.
“The Suns’ new AFLW team is the most exciting development in women’s sport on the Gold Coast for many years,” Ms Scanlon said.
“Labor’s commitment will treat our Gold Coast sportswomen with the respect they deserve.
“The Palaszczuk Government will support our Suns women, every step of the way.
“These change facilities will also be utilised by girls in the Suns Academy programs, which includes up and coming talent from Central and North Queensland.”
Labor Candidate for Moncrieff, Tracey Bell said Labor was serious about ensuring our elite sportswomen have access to the best possible facilities.
“Today’s announcement is a step towards that, for our Suns women players,” Ms Bell said.
Shadow Minister for Sport Senator Don Farrell said Labor’s investments in local community sporting facilities will support elite and grassroots sport.
“Whether they dream of competing at higher levels, or just want to enjoy the health and social benefits that come with being part of community sport, we want to give all Australians the chance to enjoy sport,” Senator Farrell said.
