The shift to an equal playing field on both the international and domestic levels for all facets of men’s and women’s Rugby Union, is helping to breathe new life into the Cobar club, but it’s also brought a new challenge.
Cobar Rugby Club president Peter Payne said to foster the development of the Bactrians women’s rugby team, the club needs to upgrade their changeroom/shower facilities.
“We live in the 21st century and our change/shower facilities remain firmly entrenched in the 20th century,” Payne said.
“The joyless, cold, open-air showers were acceptable in the 1960s for men, but are certainly not up to current standards, especially for women, in 2025.
“The Club acknowledged that its amenities had to be upgraded if it was to be attractive to the local girls, and opposition teams had to be comfortable with coming out to Cobar to play.”
Payne said while their ‘Return and Earn’ recycling fundraiser provides a regular income for the Club, offsetting water, power, rates, insurances and Club affiliation fees with the Zone, and a service for the town, it however cannot sustain renovation work or works of a capital nature.
“The Club noted the CSA Mine donations policy “to partner with organizations to deliver projects and initiatives that benefit as many residents as possible within our local community” and “achieving long-term positive outcomes”, sat comfortably within the intentions and purpose of the Club structure.
“The Club applied for and was granted financial assistance by CSA Mine to upgrade and refurbish the change/shower amenities in the amount of $20,000, a very significant total for which the Club will be forever grateful.
“But the subsequent benefits to the Cobar community will be substantial as well.
“The facilities are used by other groups such as Cobar High School and by the community itself,” Payne said.
“Also, various ‘Charity Bashes’ roll through Cobar which benefit the business sectors of the town.”
