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he NSW Government has committed $50 million to improve women’s sport facilities in an effort to make it easier for women and girls to participate in regional NSW.

Deputy Premier, John Barilaro, said the funding will be allocated to pay for new or improved women’s change room and other amenities across regional NSW.

“The NSW Nationals are building a safer and stronger regional NSW and these new facilities will increase participation and allow women and girls to receive the social and health benefits associated with sport,” Barilaro said.

“Women have been flying the flag for Australian sport with our international teams achieving incredible status on the world platform, and many of these athletes come from regional communities.

“Too many women participating in local soccer, AFL, rugby or cricket matches in rural and regional locations don’t have access to suitable changing facilities so the NSW government has committed this funding to level the playing field.

“Access to designated female change rooms will be of huge benefit to our future Matildas, Opals, Hockeyroos, Jillaroos, and Wallaroos, as well as local athletes,” he said.

In announcing the increased support for women’s sport infrastructure, the NSW government said applications for the funding, which is listed under round for of the Stronger Country Communities Fund, open in May.

The $50 million has been allocated as a part of the NSW government’s $2 billion Regional Growth Fund and as part of the $100 million Stronger Country Communities Fund.

Minister for Women and Regional Youth, Bronnie Taylor, said the funding will help address barriers for women and girls when it comes to entering local and regional sport.

“I know this funding will be warmly welcomed by female athletes in regional communities who will now face one less barrier to taking up a sport,” Taylor said.

“Clubs and community sport provide friendship, fitness, and a lot of fun and I’m delighted that this funding has been made available as a means of boosting participation in women’s sport,” she said.