Prior to the pandemic, women’s football in Victoria was booming and with the anticipated return of community footy in 2021, that trend is set to continue.

The establishment of the AFLW in 2017 was a game-changer, with Ikon Park hosting a sell-out crowd of nearly 25,000 people at the first-ever AFLW match between Carlton and Collingwood. The 2021 AFLW season kicks off tomorrow night at Ikon Park with the Blues again hosting the Magpies.

Current match-day facilities are below par and the project will see the demolition of the Pratt Stand and the construction of a match-day pavilion with AFLW-standard change rooms, an elite indoor training facility and better views into the ground from Princes Park.

The existing training and administration building will be refurbished and upgraded to provide AFLW and AFL players and staff access to the same facilities and resources, reinforcing a culture of gender equality throughout the club. Lighting will also be upgraded to allow broadcasting of AFLW night matches.

The Victorian Government has invested $20 million in the $42 million project, with the Federal Government providing $15 million and Carlton with support from the AFL contributing the remaining funds.

The Victorian Government has a strong record of supporting women’s football, including providing $13 million for the second stage of the Moorabbin Oval redevelopment, $5 million for match-day and training facilities at Whitten Oval, $5 million to upgrade Casey Fields and $2 million to remake the Victoria Park change rooms.

The Victorian Budget 2020/21 included new allocations to upgrade or redevelop facilities for AFLW at Essendon Football Club’s Hangar ($6.28 million), Richmond Football Club’s Punt Road ($15.48 million), North Melbourne Football Club’s Arden Street ($7.28 million) and the Western Bulldogs’ Whitten Oval ($36.6 million).