Mars Stadium, the home of women’s football and so much more

This year has marked a momentous time for women in sport across the region, and it’s only getting stronger.

The increasing rate of women’s participation in sport is encouraging, with Sunday another great example of this. The Victorian Football League Women’s (VFLW) Western Bulldogs side will take on Geelong at Mars Stadium from 2pm this Sunday, making it the first VFLW match for premiership points hosted at the city’s newest oval.

This follows the first AFLW match played at the oval earlier this year.

It’s fantastic to see more high-profile women’s football games played in Ballarat.

This increase in women’s sport in Ballarat supports our recently adopted Active Women and Girls’ Strategy, a strategy aimed to guide future initiatives targeted at increasing female participation in sport and physical activity within Ballarat, while promoting equitable opportunities in the sporting environment.

We look forward to officially launching this strategy with the community in late-July, and changing the conversation in our community about women and girls’ sport.

On the topic of football, today marks one month until the Western Bulldogs will arrive in Ballarat to take on Port Adelaide at Mars Stadium.

With thousands filling the stadium at the city’s first AFL match for premiership points in 2017, there is no doubt fans will return once again by the bus loads to see AFL live in action at this fantastic ground. Tickets are now on sale, so don’t forget to purchase your tickets at westernbulldogs.com.au

It appears Mars Stadium is the stadium of choice for sporting games and events in 2018, with an impressive program lined up for the remainder of the year including, the Herald Sun Shield Intermediate Grand Finals, Central Highlands and Ballarat FNL Grand Finals, the Victorian Naidoc Football and Netball Carnival and Carols by Candle light.

- Mayor, Samantha McIntosh