A plan to allocate at least one Sunday per month exclusively for women’s sports at Gore Hill Oval has received mixed reactions from some sporting clubs across Willoughby, with some supporting it and some questioning the decision in terms of gender equality in sports.
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Under Willoughby City Council’s proposed changes, the oval will be used at least one Sunday each month for women and girls’ sport.
Council’s proposed changes would also impact Northbridge Oval, Thomson Oval and Chatswood High School Oval, which will no longer have a monthly Sunday rest day, and instead recommended using this former rest day for women and girls sport played at a local and district level.
Sydney Swans AFLW co-captain Maddy Collier believes this would encourage more women to play sport at a grassroots level.
However, some sporting clubs including Northbridge Football Club thought the proposal should be reconsidered. AFL club North Shore Bombers also revealed their female players did not agree with female-only days at Gore Hill Oval.
Willoughby City Council came up with the proposed changes after reviewing the Synthetic Sportsgrounds Management Plan, which was adopted in March 2018 and the Community Use of Sports Facilities Policy which was adopted in 2021.
Willoughby mayor Tanya Taylor earlier explained that the policy was aimed at ensuring equity in the allocation of sporting facilities.
“It is natural that there is always debate and discussion as to whether the Council has the right policy settings in place to manage current and future usage of these important sporting facilities,” Mayor Taylor said.
“As such, we are keen to get widespread feedback on these proposed changes, which seek to ensure Council is focussing its attention on supporting community sport and that we are setting aside enough space for the rising number of female athletes.
“Sporting clubs and associations, in interviews with a consultant commissioned by the Council, stated they expected a 30 per cent growth in female participation over the next five years.”
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Meanwhile, Council will review the feedback from the local community, which was sought until 20 February 2023.