BY SAMUEL BARTLETT
Hunter football clubs have received a share of almost $3 million from the NSW government’s Regional Sports Facility Fund.
The NSW government committed $50 million to fund regional clubs over two years, helping create spaces and facilities that enable communities to enjoy and take part in sport.
The state government allocated $25 million to round one for 2020-21, with eight projects associated with Northern NSW Football clubs successful in applications totaling $2,897,553.
Football clubs in the Hunter Valley, Macquarie and Newcastle zones have been some of the successful applicants to upgrade fields, lighting and changerooms.
Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland says the successful applications reaffirmed their commitment to advocate for regional clubs
He says, “in a number of cases our Community Football team here at Northern NSW Football identified club projects that aligned with various local infrastructure strategies and provided support and access to our consultants to assist our applicants,”
“These types of successful facility projects will help increase participation and accessibility and facilitate quality football experiences in a safe and welcoming environment.”
Port Stephens Council received $840,000 and $260,000 for upgrades to the King Park Regional Sport Complex and Tomaree Regional Sport Complex respectively.
David Eland says, "there's a huge need for investment, our audit and strategy identifies that there's up to $300 million worth of investment required in facilities, but $3 million is a great start,"
Dudley Redhead United have received $271,000 to install new lights down at Myalls oval which is great news and I know that they've been trying for years to get their second field under lights,"
"Its going to increase that clubs capacity enormously," he says.
Northern NSW Football enlisted the help of consultants to make sure club submissions for grants were the best they could possibly be and Mr Eland says they'll continue to support clubs whenever they can.
"The football community can be assured that every time there is money available, Northern NSW Football will be working with them to apply for it," he said.
