Learn to skate, don your cricket whites or kick a goal in 2020 as we strive to make sport and recreation more accessible for all genders and all people.
We are upgrading our sports pavilions to make them more inclusive, comfortable, safe and fit-for-purpose.
This work includes an $800,000 investment in designs for the renewal of the Brens, Ryder and Western Oval sporting pavilions in Royal Park, and gender-neutral bathrooms at the Princes Park Southern Pavilion.
All of our sporting clubs – including Kensington City Soccer Club, Youlden Parkville Cricket Club and Docklands Sports Club – are also working hard to increase participation in sport, especially among women and girls.
We have 375 community teams using our sporting facilities each week. This includes 90 teams made up of women and girls.
Local skateboarder Hayley Wilson was recently chosen for the Sport Australia Hall of Fame 2020 Scholarship and Mentoring Program and has her sights set on the Tokyo Olympics.
She trains at Riverslide Skate Park on Boathouse Drive, where we offer regular skate clinics for young women.
‘I go to Riverslide pretty much every day that I’m in Melbourne,’ Hayley said.
‘I love how close it is to the city so it is easily accessible from most places and from public transport. I really like that it is an open park so more people can skate at any one time.
‘It is important to have clinics for girls and women because it is pretty frightening starting a sport that is very male-dominated. The clinics make them feel more comfortable.’
Want to get involved? Join our Go Girls skate program at Riverslide Skate Park this January, or drop by to enjoy the Skate Park Leagues competition on 12 January, or the Skate Club Fun Day on 25 January. Find out more at skatepark.ymca.org.au
To explore more local clubs and ways to stay active, visit Sports and recreation.
To have your say on the re-design of Riverslide and JJ Holland Park, visit Participate Melbourne.
