Surf Coast Suns netball players in Torquay, Victoria, are calling for new change rooms and toilets closer to their playing courts.
The demand highlights a critical gap in sporting infrastructure that players say affects their basic dignity and physical safety. Because the existing facilities are located far from the playing area, athletes must travel significant distances during matches and training sessions.
This lack of accessible infrastructure is not a recent development. Players have been waiting for improved facilities for approximately 10 years [1]. The distance between the courts and the available restrooms creates a logistical burden for the athletes and officials using the site.
The players said that their safety and dignity are at stake due to the current arrangement [1]. The requirement to leave the immediate court area to access basic hygiene and changing facilities is viewed as an unacceptable standard for organized sport in the region.
Torquay is a key hub for netball in the Surf Coast region, yet the infrastructure at the Suns' courts has failed to keep pace with the needs of the players. The athletes are now urging local authorities to prioritize the construction of facilities that are within a reasonable distance of the courts.
While the community continues to support the sport, the persistence of this issue for a decade suggests a systemic failure in facility management and urban planning. The players said that the current situation is unsustainable for those competing at the site [2].
“their safety and dignity are at stake”
The situation in Torquay reflects a broader tension between the growth of community sports and the availability of gender-safe, accessible infrastructure. When basic facilities like change rooms are absent or distant, it creates a barrier to participation and raises concerns regarding the duty of care owed to athletes.
