Swans Set The Pace With Opening Of Dedicated Women’s Change Rooms

Swan Districts Football Club continues to set the bar across the WAFLW competition after the completion of its dedicated changeroom for their women’s teams.

Without having to share the existing changerooms or be worried about one of the male players accidently walking through, females of all ages are now able to feel comfortable while getting dressed before and after games, or when preparing for training.

This initiative has been made possible by the extensive efforts of countless staff members behind the scenes, and is sure to see the rest of the competition follow suit in the future.

Women’s coach, Leith Woods, said the building of these changerooms is having a positive impact throughout the group, particularly at this time when they are unable to prepare for the upcoming season together.

‘They look awesome’ Woods said. ‘With the logo on the floor and the numbers on the lockers, it’s our dedicated space’.

‘It helps the girls to really feel a part of the club and gives us an area that we don’t need to share.

‘The Swans have always been a big supporter of the women’s football program and this recognition shows the girls just how important they are to the club.’

Women’s football manager and 2019 ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award winner, Jo Taylor wasn’t surprised by the building of these modern facilities, stating that there has always been a continued commitment to the women’s game at Swan Districts.

‘The club has always had a strong focus in the female space, for 12 years now’, she said.

‘We’ve always been a trendsetter here at Swans. We were the first club to fully integrate our women’s program, take our girls on regional trips and much more.

‘To be the first women’s WAFL club to have their own change rooms is not just great for our female players, it’s great for the community and the district. It means we can now host more female games and competitions here for juniors and young women, without them having to share rooms with the men’s football program.’

The club’s Chief Executive, Jeff Dennis also underlined the importance of women’s football to the club. “Our club values of everyone matters and raise the bar to be the best you can helped drive the push for these new changerooms. The club aspires to provide the same resources to our women’s program as we do for our men’s program. This season we also committed to additional physiotherapy and sports science services”.

An official opening of the changerooms by The Hon Mr Patrick Gorman MP was scheduled for 31st March but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Swan Districts received a Federal Government Community Sport Infrastructure Program grant via Sport Australia to help build the new changerooms. It also received a second grant to upgrade the ground audio system at Steel Blue Oval to transform its match day experience for its supporters to a more engaging and interactive fun day including the Swans Play Zone and on field competitions and giveaways.