By Esther Lauaki
Sports and recreation clubs in the Macedon Ranges have received a major financial boost to encourage residents to get active.
The Gisborne Bulldogs, Gisborne Giants and Gisborne Rookies football and netball clubs, as well as the Gisborne Cricket Club, will benefit from a $500,000 state grant towards a pavilion, an additional netball court and lighting upgrade at Gardiner Reserve.
Macedon and Woodend cricket clubs will split $300,000 for new training facilities at their respective home grounds.
Sports Minister John Eren said that more than 300 female participants play for the Gisborne clubs based at Gardiner Reserve and the existing netball facilities have been falling short for years.
“Women deserve the same opportunities as men, and with record numbers of women and girls signing up to play local sport, we’re making sure our facilities are up to scratch,” Mr Eren said during a visit to the area last Wednesday.
“We want all Victorians to have access to high quality facilities regardless of where they live or what gender they are.”
The Gardiner Reserve project will include a new pavilion with female-friendly changerooms, umpire’s room and construction of a new netball court and better lighting.
New synthetic grass cricket practice nets at Macedon and Woodend will provide more than 300 members across both clubs with suitable training spaces.
Mr Eren announced a further $150,000 in state funding for the installation of outdoor fitness equipment along the Five Mile Creek trail at Woodend and Romsey as well as along Jacksons Creek in Gisborne and the Campaspe River Trail in Kyneton.
