Auckland City Council

A big increase in the number of women's rugby teams is one of the reasons the Suburbs Rugby Football Club in Avondale urgently needs to upgrade its changing and showering facilities.

The council's Parks and Recreation Committee has given strong support to the club's request for a grant towards the $60,000 total cost of these new facilities.

The club told the committee it will also be catering for several cricket teams and around 2,500 Touch players, with both codes including many women. There's also been a 15-team increase in junior rugby.

Committee chairperson Cr Phil Raffils says the club's request is worthy and realistic.

"This is the first time this very independent club has approached the council for funds. The Suburbs club is central to sports activity in the Avondale area and makes a substantial contribution to the community. It encourages sports involvement by both women and men and social participation by all ages," he said.

Avondale Community Board chairperson Jeff Iversen also supported the club's request, and said the board would have allocated SLIPS funds to the upgrade project had the application arrived earlier.

The Parks and Recreation Committee does not have direct access to grants funds, however the committee's recommendation is that $40,000 be found from another fund, with a report to the committee's next meeting.

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