The Women’s Academy will boast a high-performance gym and recovery centre, medical and physiotherapy rooms, performance analysis and sports science labs and education and leadership spaces.
McIntosh said the funding, to be delivered if the Coalition wins government, will ensure women and girls who play footy in the area will have the right facilities to boost their participation.
“It is time the Panthers had an NRLW team, and this commitment from the Coalition will make Penrith one step closer to be represented in seasons to come by incredibly talented female players who play in our local competition,” McIntosh said.
“Our commitment will boost girls’ and women’s footy participation in Penrith and right across western Sydney.”
Panthers Group Chairman Peter Graham confirmed the club will match the Coalition’s commitment to see the realisation of the $20 million facility for women and girls in western Sydney.
“The Penrith Panthers Women’s Academy and Community Hub will deliver a world-class training environment for female athletes and a dedicated home for our growing community programs,” Graham said.
“This critical investment will help address inequality in sport, create new opportunities for women and girls, and strengthen the Panthers’ social impact across western Sydney and western NSW.”
Labor made no indication it would match the commitment when contacted by the Weekender.
Candidate for Lindsay Hollie McLean instead focused on broader commitments already made by the government.
“The campaign promise you won’t hear Melissa McIntosh talking about is the Liberal Party’s plans to increase income taxes for every taxpayer and make huge budget cuts to pay for $600 billion on nuclear reactors,” McLean said.
“In contrast, the Albanese Government has positive policies to benefit everyone including a tax cut for all taxpayers, strengthening Medicare, and backing working families to get a pay rise to help with the cost-of-living.”
Creed argued that Labor doesn’t invest enough in women’s sport.
“Labor talks big about supporting young women in sports, but never follows through with any action,” Creed said.
“This is why I’m so proud to be part of a Coalition team that will always back our young and talented female athletes, especially from right here in western Sydney.
“This will be a game changer.”
Penrith Panthers CEO Matt Cameron welcomed the announcement, saying it would support the club’s female athletes in the future.
“The rapid growth of women’s rugby league underlines the importance of building facilities that support and empower female athletes,” Cameron said.
“The Women’s Academy and Community Hub will bridge the gap in resources, drive measurable community outcomes, and deliver long-term social and economic benefits for the region.”
In the Penrith District there are just over 10,000 juniors as registered participants in the sport and young girls are making up 20 per cent of that, up 17 per cent from last year.
