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“Winter Reserve has had facilities upgrades in recent years but we agree there is a need for further improvements to support netball and broader female participation,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We acknowledge that the Belmont Lions have made a submission to our budget process highlighting this need.<\/p>\n
“Pending the final outcome of our budget process, we’ll meet with the club to start working through what can be delivered with the $1 million committed by the Victorian government.”<\/p>\n
The club hires a portable building out of its own budget each year, which serves as the club’s netball training and game-day storage facility located next to its netball court.<\/p>\n
The building is transported into Winter Reserve at the beginning of each season and has no electricity for lighting or heating.<\/p>\n
Geelong MP Christine Couzens described the club’s female change facilities as a “tin shed”.<\/p>\n
“No women or girls should have to put up with substandard facilities such as this,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Having female-friendly facilities at every sports ground should be a priority of Geelong council. Belmont Lions lack the female-friendly facilities other clubs have been provided with, backed by Andrews Government funding.<\/p>\n
“Clubs find it hard to attract and retain women and girls if their change facilities are substandard or non-existent.”<\/p>\n
The Lions also have an infrastructure fund containing $80,000, raised through club membership fees and fundraising events. The club says it will assist with any future infrastructure project costs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BELMONT Lions Sports Club (SC) is keen to resume conversations with the City of Greater Geelong regarding upgrades identified in a Facility Development Plan for Winter Reserve. The development plan, commissioned by the city in 2020\/2021 in partnership with the Belmont Lions, highlighted the club’s need for netball and umpire change facilities, additional courts, better […]<\/p>\n