McLeish calls for improvements to female jockey changerooms

Female jockey participation numbers at picnic race clubs are increasing, making it necessary to upgrade female changeroom facilities to accommodate the growing numbers.

Speaking in parliament, State Liberal Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish called on the State Government to ensure female jockey changerooms across the electorate receive upgrades.

Ms McLeish said racing is an important feature across the electorate with picnic clubs in five towns and the larger Yarra Valley Racing club in Yarra Glen.

Ms McLeish said, “I am keen to see these clubs to get a bit more attention.”

Female jockey numbers at picnic racing clubs now make up a third of jockeys and at some club meetings, are on par with male numbers.

Ms McLeish sought feedback from picnic clubs in the electorate about the current condition of female changerooms and found that clubs typically describe their female changerooms as ‘adequate’.

Many of the changerooms across picnic clubs in Yea, Mansfield, Healesville, and Merton are cramped or are not purpose-built facilities. In some instances, plumbing is dodgy, and the bathroom facilities need upgrading along with more storage and new flooring installed. The changerooms at Yarra Valley Racing Club are over 15 years old and need to be expanded to accommodate the growing number of female jockeys.

Ms McLeish continues, “Female changerooms need to be improved to ensure the jockeys have comfortable and safe facilities with showers and toilets.”

“Committees are doing the best with what they have, but an upgrade would be most welcome by clubs and jockeys,” Ms McLeish concludes.