Significant progress made in WA Football's Community Sporting Venues Retrofitting ProjectMonday, October 6, 2025 - 1:59 PM - by Jordan McArdle

WA Football is pleased to reveal significant progress in our Community Sporting Venues Retrofitting Project, which has already seen eight sites completed and another five scheduled.

Thanks to a $1 million grant from the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF), and further funding from the WA Football Facilities Fund and West Coast Eagles Royalty Reserve, the project is creating safer and more inclusive environments at community sporting venues where football is played. 

The project, in collaboration with 22 local governments, aims to enhance facilities for individuals of any gender, age and ability, with a key focus on grassroots football.

The work is part of PlayOn WA: 2030 by 2030, a State Government initiative helping to guide investment in community sporting infrastructure through to 2030.

WA Football CEO Michael Roberts joined Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti, Riverton MLA Jags Krishnan, West Coast Eagles Manager - Community and Game Development, Richard O’Connell and Chief Operating Officer Richard Godfrey, Perth Football League CEO Andrew Dawe, City of Canning Deputy Mayor Mark Bain and several other key stakeholders for a tour of the refurbished changerooms at Burrendah Reserve in Willetton.

The $49,000 upgrades included the installation of new shower partitions in home, away, and umpire changerooms, removal of outdated urinals and replacement with more accessible facilities and new toilet partitions in the away changeroom.

The venue was used for some of the recent Perth Football League women’s grand finals.

"We've made some significant and exciting progress in the Community Sporting Venues Retrofitting Project - with eight sites completed and a further five currently scheduled,” WA Football CEO Michael Roberts said.

"It was great to see Burrendah Reserve come to life during the recent Perth Football League women's grand finals following the site's recent refurbishment through this project.

"Women and girls' football is our fastest-growing area in the State, reaching a record-high of 16,790 participants in football programs in 2025 - so it's vital that our number of gender-neutral amenities reflect this.

"Once this retrofitting project is completed, the Perth Football League and its venues will be nearing 100 per cent gender-neutral player and umpire changeroom amenities.

"We thank the State Government and West Coast Eagles Football Club for their funding assistance, and to the local governments and Perth Football League for their collaboration in helping make this project happen."

"Football is at the heart of so many communities, and facilities like these make a real difference in ensuring the game is welcoming and open to everyone,” Deputy Premier and Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti added.

"Our government is proud to invest in grassroots sport and to work with WA Football, local governments, and clubs to deliver changerooms that are safe, inclusive, and future-ready.

"The upgrades at Burrendah Reserve are a great example of how this collaboration can deliver lasting benefits for local players, umpires, volunteers, and the wider community.

"These upgrades will support the growing number of people taking part in community football - especially women and girls - and will ensure everyone feels welcome and supported.”