Fresh changerooms readyfor Banno Tigers

THE female-friendly upgrade of the Bannockburn Tigers Football Netball Club changerooms at Victoria Park was officially opened by the Member for Geelong Christine Couzens last Friday morning.

The $1.8 million works included the refurbishment of two accessible footy player and umpire changerooms appropriate for women and girls. Improvements were made to ceilings, light fittings, the floors, seats, shelves, and locks, and painting was undertaken.

The project was funded by three tiers of government with $1.1 million from the State Government, $690,000 from the Federal Government, and $11,000 from Golden Plains Shire.

“Grassroots sports like footy and netball are the lifeblood of this community, and it’s important that the community have modern and accessible facilities so people can come together, enjoy their sports and get active,” Ms Couzens said.

“Bannockburn clubs finally have a hub that is welcoming for women and girls and can bring the community together to enjoy the activities they love.”

Bannockburn FNC president Scott Penning said it was exciting to get to this stage of the overall precinct redevelopment.

“We’ve been trying to do this for quite a few years, knocking on doors, sending emails, making phone calls and it has finally come to fruition,” he said.

“There’s been a lot of hard work from a lot of people behind the scenes, and from a council point of view, to get this up and running. I don’t think the council get enough credit for this precinct… to get it up and running on target.

“Without them, and the support of the local State and Federal government we wouldn’t be able to get to where we are today.

“As the football-netball season begins, I’m sure when they go in there, the players will be ecstatic on what we’ve been able to achieve.”

Golden Plains Shire councillor, Helena Kirby, said the female participation in cricket, football and netball at Bannockburn is booming.

“These change rooms are a fantastic addition to Victoria Park to support women and girls playing sport,” she said.

“The change rooms provide accessible, safe and fit-for-purpose facilities for all users, and council is proud to have worked alongside the State and Federal governments to deliver this positive outcome for the community.”

Member for Corangamite Libby Coker emphasised how important sport is in Bannockburn.

“Bannockburn is a passionate, fast-growing sporting community and the Tigers are so central to the culture of the town – I’m proud of the work the club has put in to make these upgrades a reality and it’s a terrific legacy for the committee, club members and players,” she said.

“The difference between the new pavilion and what was here before is night and day.”

Bannockburn Bulls Cricket Club, local students and the wider community will also make use of the changerooms.

The cricket club’s season was interrupted by the works, but players were able to enjoy the benefits of the changerooms by the 2025 finals.

A new Victoria Park netball pavilion with two female accessible player changerooms and two female accessible umpire change rooms, first aid, office and storage areas opened last year.

The next big project at Victoria Park is the installation of a football net.

“We’re almost a completed precinct,” Mr Penning said.

Due to an Australian Electoral Commission seat redistribution, Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Corio, Richard Marles, will become Bannockburn’s new local Federal member of parliament if voted in on 3 May.

He was also present at the opening on Friday morning,

“These are important upgrades for Bannockburn and will support players, officials and supporters alike,” he said.

“Community sport brings people together and these upgrades for Bannockburn continue to encourage that.”