With more than 1,000 members at both clubs, grassroots football and cricket at Eltham North Reserve is as popular as ever but the Redbacks and the Wanderers have been struggling to cater for the growing demand, especially from women and girls.

The Redbacks existing change rooms will be transformed into a bigger modern pavilion featuring two female-friendly change rooms, soccer social room, umpires change room, first aid room, accessible toilets, kitchen, administration room and storage facilities.

The Wanderers will also be moving into a new pavilion featuring the same facilities as the Redbacks with a cricket social room. Both clubs will be able to utilise each other’s change rooms in their respective seasons of competition.

The local First Eltham North Scouts Group will also enjoy improvements to the foyer, kitchen and toilets that service the community hall and modifications to the scouts hall and storage facilities.

Once complete, both new venues will significantly improve the environment for girls and women and provide both clubs greater flexibility in scheduling training and matches.

The upgraded scout hall and community hall will also be available for a range of uses to local community groups and the wider community.

Project partners included Nillumbik Shire Council, Scouts Victoria and both clubs.