Plans to add a female change room and implement other improvements at the Newport Rugby clubhouse in Porter Reserve, which have been in contention for more than four years, will finally be realised.
Per the Northern Beaches Council, construction has been set for the second half of 2022 after overwhelming support from the community during the public consultations in mid-2021.
The proposal covers the construction of a new accessible building next to the existing clubhouse, which will have the following amenities:
- female change room
- first aid room
- unisex accessible toilet
- canteen
- covered BBQ area
It comes as the community has been asking for upgrades to the Newport Rugby clubhouse as its membership has grown in the last few years, especially among the female members. Currently, there are 56 girls in the Newport Junior Rugby Club and 29 women in the Newport Rugby Club. The female membership’s growth rate is expected to ramp up by 10 per cent a year.
“Rugby is traditionally a male game so it’s an awesome signal for the community that more girls can come and play,” Newport Junior Rugby Club President Nigel Baker said. “It’s not girls playing a boys game, it’s girls playing rugby.”
The club received a $400,000 grant from the Council through the Greater Cities Sports Facility Fund. The project is included in Council’s 2021/22 capital works program with a budget of $800,000.
“Sport is part of the fabric of the Pittwater community and is really important to the health and wellbeing of local residents,” said Member for Pittwater and NSW Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes.
“It’s great this project enhances sports infrastructure and inclusivity, providing fit-for-purpose amenities for all participants at Porter Reserve.”
