Female facilities nod close for Great Northern Football League

The Great Northern Football League is awaiting $200,000 to be signed off from the Federal Government to revamp change rooms at the seven clubs to accommodate female footballers.

The league has been working closely with Durack MP Melissa Price and the go-ahead for the project is expected soon.

League president Colin Cox is banking on the change rooms at all clubs having a “new look” come April in time for the start of the season.

“We’re hopefully close to hearing good news and starting work on the change rooms and toilets,” Mr Cox said.

“We will talk to builders soon about how we will tackle the project.”

The first year of female football in Geraldton was extremely popular, with clubs reporting healthy attendances and good turnovers in gate, canteen and bar sales.

It is expected to grow more this season, when at least six of the seven clubs will have female teams.

Meanwhile, there will be more Friday night fixtures this season. The GNFL has yet to decide the make-up.

“They could be colts and women’s matches or league and women’s games,” Mr Cox said.

“It may even be league, women’s or colts games on their own.”

Meanwhile, the seven clubs are presently poring over the draft fixture for 2019, which has Rovers and Mullewa meeting in a standalone game over Easter to start the year.

The day, or night, of the first game has yet to be decided.

Under the draft draw, there are 18 rounds, with each club playing 14 games and four weeks of finals.