Casey RACE- women’s only program

Ensuring relevant spaces and facilities are accessible for all club members regardless of their role or performance level.

Casey Race, Recreation and Aquatic Centre, Cranbourne East, Victoria

Every Saturday evening for one hour, Casey Race, a Casey City Council facility which is managed by the YMCA, opens its pool, sauna, spa and steam room to female-only participants. This provides women in the community, who feel more comfortable exercising in a female-only environment, for a variety of reasons, a chance to enjoy the facilities, socialize and engage in physical activity in a private environment. 

The City of Casey is one of Victoria’s most culturally and linguistically diverse LGA’s with almost 40% of residents being born overseas. The City of Casey is home to large numbers of community members from Afghan, Filipino, Sri Lankan and Indian backgrounds. Islam is one of the most predominant religious affiliations amongst residents of the LGA. The sessions have proved popular with the more than 10,000 women living in the LGA who identify with the Islamic faith. 

In relation to the program, a spokesperson said, “there is a need for all members of the Casey community to have the chance to learn to swim and be safe in the water. This need extends to women who wish to access (the pool) without men present for religious, cultural and personal reasons.”

Contact:

Name Role: Anuya Ketkar, Inclusion and Participation Office, City of Casey

Email: aketkar@casey.vic.gov.au

Phone number: 9709 9938