The state government announced on Friday the council was successful in the latest round of the government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.

Horsham Little Athletics, part of the Dudley Cornell user committee, helped push for the grant.

Club president Terry Arnel said the female changerooms would be a great addition to the park. 

“The facility will definitely be a benefit to all the user groups at Dudley Cornell Park,” he said. “There has been a big emphasis on female sport, driven by the increased involvement of women’s football and women’s cricket, and anything that makes it easier for girls to be involved in sport is great.”

Arnel said any facility that will help more girls get involved with sport is a positive.

“It will only be a positive for the region if girls are given more of an opportunity to be involved with sport,” he said.

Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said the grant would allow council to build two changerooms and associated female amenities at the park.

“We’re working hard to give more locals in Horsham the opportunity to play the sports they love, and embrace a more active and healthy lifestyle,” she said. “This boost will go a long way towards helping cater for the growing number of women keen to get involved in sport in Horsham.”

Ms Pulford said she hoped the grant would also assist in creating a positive culture for female sport in the Wimmera.

“We are working with councils, local clubs and peak organisations to actively promote inclusive cultures, policies and initiatives that promote female participation on and off the field,” she said.

Dudley Cornell’s $100,000 grant allocation comes from $14 million which has been dedicated to female-friendly projects across the state.