THE Irymple Knights are set to take a small step in a very big project as they seek an appropriate changeroom facility for their female players.
The soccer club currently only has one changeroom, in the Croatian Sports and Social Club building at Henshilwood Recreation Reserve, which was erected long before Irymple had any women’s or girls soccer teams.
On training nights it’s used by the Knights’ mens and boys teams, leaving the women and girls to either change in a small toilet block or change at home.
As female participation rates in the sport continue to grow, the club successfully applied for a $19,000 recreation planning grant from Mildura council to address the situation.
Club vice-president Kimberley Strubelj said members would work on developing construction plans for a shared female-friendly changeroom facility which could also be used by female footballers, netballers and cricketers.
“Meetings following that collaborative pathway started happening towards the end of 2023,” Ms Strubelj said.
“We’ve identified a potential place where there could be a clubroom situated that could be used for those multiple codes.
“The soccer club is driving it because we urgently need facilities.
“Female clubs have been a big part of the Irymple Knights Soccer club, but the old building didn’t have facilities for female changerooms.
“That’s kind of where all this started.
“We’ve had an increase in player numbers across our soccer club, an increase in numbers overall, and in particular we’ve been focusing on increasing numbers of female players participating.”
At present, the Irymple Knights have junior female players at the Mini Roos level, as well as two Under-13 girls’ teams, an Under-16 girls team and a women’s team.
Ms Strubelj said it was pleasing to receive council support to progress the project.
“Our committee and coaches and everyone involved in our club are volunteers so we are always very happy to hear of any successes, because every little bit helps,” she said.
“This is a substantial grant so everyone is very excited to hear it’s been successful.”
