While soccer enthusiasts welcome a burst of funding to key grounds in West Perth, other clubs are calling for their share.

The Dorrien Gardens sports ground is receiving $200,000 from the Federal Government and $200,000 from the WA Government ahead of the zone becoming a training ground for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

The Perth Soccer Club, which already uses the facilities, will be contributing $10,000.

City of Vincent mayor Emma Cole says the money will the facility to prepare for what will be a huge event.

“We are so pleased to see this funding from the State and Federal Governments to help prepare Dorrien Gardens for one of the biggest events on the global sporting calendar,” she says.

“It will also leave a legacy for the next generation of stars from Perth Soccer Club and is a fantastic investment in a local community facility.”

Perth Soccer Club president Jason Marocchi says improvements to the club will include an upgrade to the change rooms, new goal posts and new benches for players.

He says it will also help with flooding issues.

Mr Marocchi says the money will also pay for upgrades to change rooms to accommodate female players. As it stands, there is no dedicated female change room or showering area at the club.

“Urinals will be taken out of the facilities and upgraded with toilet cubicles and the showers will have partitions and doors installed,” he says.

“The upgraded toilets and showers will provide privacy to the players and create a gender-neutral change room.”

Mrs Coles says the change rooms will be more inclusive.

“The gender-neutral change rooms will further boost the club’s growing female participation rate of 20 per cent of all participants, with two senior women and four junior girls teams.”

Mr Marocchi says the senior women’s teams were “over the moon” about the funding and are excited to have top international soccer players visit and train at the venue.

Tayna Campos, a player for Balcatta Soccer Club, says having more sporting facilities to cater to women is important.

“The funding gives everyone an opportunity to play on a quality pitch and use the facilities in the long term.”

Tayna Campos

The 25-year-old soccer player says she would like to see money also go to other soccer clubs for upgrades.

Grindleford Reserve, which is used by Balcatta Soccer Club, has been waiting for council approval and funding to install lights for the pitch.

Balcatta Soccer Club are unable to train on the pitch and cannot start games late in the afternoon because of poor lighting.

Miss Campos says more women would be able to enjoy the game if more soccer clubs could receive upgrades.