Change for the good made at Harvey as women’s changerooms opened for first time

Women’s football in Harvey received a well-overdue boost on Saturday, with the official opening of new female changerooms at the Harvey Recreation Ground.

The facility, which is mainly used by the Harvey Bulls’ South West Football League club and junior teams, became the second ground in the region to open women’s changerooms.

The opening was included as part of a SWFL women’s triple-header at the ground, with three consecutive games being played at the venue on Saturday.

The project, which Harvey Bulls president Joe Rognetta said was a “long-time coming”, was funded through the Department of Sport and Recreation and the Alcoa Sustainability Fund.

Mr Rognetta said the opening was another step forward for women’s football in the region.

“It was very exciting. I was very happy for the club and for the women,” he said. “A lot of work has been put in for them, and it couldn’t have gone better on Saturday — the girls got a nice win too.

“It was a big day for the club, we have been working on it for a couple of years and it has finally come through, which is great.”

Harvey Shire president Paul Gillett, Forrest MHR and former Bulls president Nola Marino and Alcoa community relations manager Tom Busher were on hand to cut the ribbon, flanked by the whole Harvey Bulls women’s squad.

“It is a big thrill for the club, when people put their hands up to help with things like this,” Mr Rognetta said.

“It is not easy work, and it was a big commitment to make the call to do it at the start, but a lot of people followed through and now it is probably the best in the South West at the moment.”

The home side rounded out the day with a stirring three-point victory over reigning premiers South Bunbury.