WOMEN’S sport is promised a boost of $30 million by a re-elected WA Labor government.

The City of Swan’s Ellenbrook District Open Space (EDOS) is one of many facilities which could be upgraded through the proposed funding.

Of the $30m, $6m would be allocated towards the new boosting women and girls’ participation in sport program, while the remaining $24m would be used to improve changerooms and other facilities.

“More women are playing sport in Western Australia than ever before and local clubs need to provide spaces to cater for them,” Premier Roger Cook said.

“Including safe and appropriate changing facilities.”

During the August 9 City of Swan council meeting in 2023, councillor Bryce Parry raised his concerns about the lack of funding for women’s sport, considering the growth in participation.

Councillors discussed the repurposing of the $65,000 Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) event budget during the meeting.

Cr Parry said if the budget were to be repurposed, it should stay in women’s sport.

“I strongly believe that we should be spending more on women’s sport,” he said.

“Women’s facilities have not been kept up in the past 10 years and we need to spend a lot more than just $65,000.”

While speaking on his own behalf, not on behalf of the council, Pearce Ward Cr Aaron Bowman expressed his concerns about the lack of changerooms for women and girls.

Cr Bowman, who is a father of four children who are all involved in community sporting clubs, said girls have had to change outside or in meeting rooms with blankets over them because there just aren’t enough changerooms for them.

“I’ve been advocating getting these addressed for the past 12-ish months,” Cr Bowman said.

He said he was very happy to hear a re-elected Labor government has promised to act against this issue.

Mount Helena Oval at the Shire of Mundaring could also receive funding to improve its facilities under the same promise.