Warringah Rugby Club female-friendly change facilities Opened: Caps off a HUGE Year for WRC
The official opening of the new female-friendly change facilities at Pittwater Rugby Park took place on Thursday 27 November.
The new change rooms offer private, secure and accessible spaces for players, referees and coaches, encouraging more women and girls to take part in local rugby and a wide range of activities.
Mayor Sue Heins said the female-friendly change facilities are essential for creating equitable opportunities for all.
“This project is about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about giving women and girls the facilities they deserve, supporting their passion for sport and breaking down barriers to participation.
The new facilities will not only benefit the female players of Warringah Rugby Club but also encourage more women and girls to participate in sport, as well as support Pittwater Rugby Park as a sporting venue for premier events and grassroots competitions alike.
“We are committed to ensuring all members of our community feel welcome and valued at our sporting venues. With ongoing collaboration we can ensure everyone has access to high-quality, inclusive amenities that support healthy, active lifestyles.
"We look forward to seeing more women and girls participating in sports and enjoying the benefits of these new facilities." Mayor Heins said.
Warringah Rugby Club stated:
''We couldn’t be more excited to unveil these state-of-the-art, female-friendly facilities, designed to support our growing women's program and the wider community. It marks a huge step forward in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all, and part of the overall master plan for North Narrabeen.''
''A heartfelt thank you to the Council and the NSW State Government for their incredible support and funding—you made this dream a reality!
And who better to do the honours than our dynamic duo of Sues! Club President Sue Barry-Cotter and Mayor Sue Heins proudly unveiling the plaque today and officially opened this game-changing facility. ''
Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby, who attended the opening, stated:
''It was great to join Mayor Sue Heins and councillors as well as players and board members as the amenities were officially opened.
These facilities were funded by council and partially by a state grant.
Pittwater needs more amenity facility upgrades. There are grants available at the moment so please contact my office for more information.''
Here’s what’s inside:
- ✅ Lockable shower and toilet cubicles for privacy.
- ✅ Fully accessible toilet and shower facilities.
- ✅ An energy and water-efficient design built to last.
This is a massive win for our club and for women's sport.''
Warringah Rugby Club President Sue Barry-Cotter and Mayor Sue Heins
Warringah Rugby Club President Sue Barry-Cotter, Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby and WRC women players check out the new change rooms
The council stated delivery of the female-friendly change facilities at Pittwater Rugby Park forms part of its larger investment in community infrastructure and has been made possible thanks to funding from the NSW State Government along with the invaluable input of the Warringah Rugby Club and broader community.
At the council meeting held on Tuesday March 18 2025 councillors voted to accept the tender of JXB Projects Pty Limited for the Construction of a New Sporting Amenity Building at Pittwater Rugby Park, Warriewood for the sum of $1,349,328 excluding GST.
The detailed design was finalised late in 2024, followed by a tender process for construction services.
Council stated then it anticipated works will commence in April 2025.
Background
In 2020 the council resolved to deliver female friendly change facilities at Pittwater Rugby Park, home of Warringah Rugby Club, The Rats.
The proposed alterations and additions would see the delivery of female friendly change rooms to supplement the existing two change rooms located within the grounds.
The council stated it exhibited the proposal from Wednesday 25 October to Tuesday 21 November 2023 and received 150 responses with 97% supporting the proposal and 3% supporting the proposal with changes. No objections were raised.
The project design phase was extended to incorporate cost savings in response to the pre-tender cost estimate report.
The council stated the design has minor changes regarding building fabric, but that the proposed location and layout of the new building is consistent with the plans exhibited in 2023.
The project is funded by the NSW Government in association with the council, under the Female Friendly Community Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Grant Program.
The state government provided $500,000.00 under the program.
An additional $500,000.00 was provided for Frank Gray Oval (John Fisher Park), 1 Abbott Rd, North Curl Curl; This project will reconfigure the clubhouse at Frank Gray Oval, provide upgraded change rooms to address both gender equality and serious safety concerns, as well as a construct a new dedicated change facility with shower and lockers for referees & officials. The canteen will be refitted providing additional storage capacity and improved function, and the addition of secure storage rooms for four sporting codes increases capacity and amenity for all players, officials and volunteers. The provision of public amenities including two ambulant, two unisex and one accessible toilets complete the upgrade providing a functional, accessible and necessary public asset.
A further $100,000.00 was provided under the program to upgrade the floodlights at Abbott Road Softball Grounds (John Fisher Park), Abbott Rd, North Curl Curl.
The Northern Sydney and Beaches Hockey Association applied for grant funding under he same program for a Narrabeen Sports Academy Hockey Facility Lighting Upgrade; for the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation (Narrabeen Sports Academy), Wakehurst Pkwy. The proposal was to upgrade the existing underutilised former cricket training facility at the Academy by installing contemporary energy efficient LED lighting to enable year-round use for both summer and winter users. The project also includes providing additional storage capacity adjacent to the facility. This was allocated $92,000.00 under the grant program but was withdrawn by the applicant.
Projects allocated grant funding under the program were expected to commence by 30 June 2023 and be completed by 30 June 2025, however, extensions can be made for projects.
The council stated the new change rooms are designed to conform with Rugby AU National Facility Guidelines along with objectives and design principles for female friendly change facilities as set out by the NSW Office of Sport.
Artists concept drawing of new female friendly change rooms for Warriewood/North Narrabeen
The new facilities include lockable shower and toilet cubicles to ensure dignified inclusion, along with accessible toilet and shower facilities.
Due to flood risk, the building was to be raised. This section of the Warriewood to North Narrabeen landscape is a floodplain.
The council stated the building design also encourages natural ventilation across the change spaces along with energy and water-efficient solutions. The building location and use are consistent with the council’s ''Masterplan for North Narrabeen Reserve''.
The new female-friendly change facilities enable both male and female teams to be hosted on the same day. The Warringah Rugby Club hosts various events throughout the year which are often held concurrently at the grounds, including women’s rugby sevens competitions, gala days, Shute Shield, and women’s Jack Scott Cup matches. The inclusive design is set to enhance the experience for all participants.
As Warringah Rugby Club won both the Shute Shield and the Kerry Chikarovski Cup this year, this caps off what has been a brilliant year for the Rats and Ratettes.
See: Warringah Rugby Club Wins 2025 Shute Shield and Warringah Rugby Club's Ratettes Win 2025 Grand Final - All other Warringah Teams into Semi-finals
WRC Female-Friendly Change rooms Official Opening Photos: by and courtesy Warringah Rugby Club