A new, two-storey building to be constructed by Sutherland Sharks at Seymour Shaw Stadium could pave the way for improved facilities for more girls and women soccer players in the shire.
The club says the modern facilities will cater for enormous growth of the code in the shire, including a tenfold increase in participation by female players over the last 20 years.
The $1.4 million project, which has received development approval, will include a gymnasium, change rooms and toilets, canteen / cafe on ground level and, upstairs, viewing area, function room with kitchenette and boardroom.
Club president Paul Smith said, even though the stadium broke new ground in 2007 when it became the first on the east coast to have a synthetic pitch installed, the facilities were "very ancient and falling apart".
"One of the big benefits is we will be able to cater more for women players, from the Matildas to clubs at grass roots level who can come down here to play special games," he said.
"Down the line, I think there will have to be more consideration given to the facilities for female players at the various levels."
Sutherland Shire Football Association (SSFA) has almost 6500 female players in the winter season, representing 33 per cent of the total number of 19,500 players.
Eighty seven per cent of the fields that football are allocated do not provide change rooms for all genders. Our participants are used to changing in the car or at home.
- Jeff Stewart
General manager Jeff Stewart said female representation was more than any other grassroots football association in the state.
"In addition, SSFA runs a Monday night development program exclusive for girls from the ages of nine through to 15, with almost 150 girls that have been selected to participate in this program.
"SSFA also runs at least two free Girls Only Skills nights per season. These nights are always oversubscribed, with more than 300 girls in attendance each time."
Mr Stewart said the association had asked the council for more gender neutral change rooms.
"Eighty seven per cent of the fields football are allocated do not provide change rooms for all genders," he said. "Our participants are used to changing in the car or at home before and after training and matches."
