Northern NSW Football has helped its clubs receive more than $1.3 million thanks to the NSW government’s Female Friendly Community Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades grant program.
Seven projects have been chosen to receive funding including:
- Hallidays Point Sports Club, Black Head Sports Field ($181,743)
- New Lambton FC, Novocastrian Park ($242,300)
- South Lismore Celtic FC, Caniaba Street Reserve ($300,658)
- Stockton Junior FC, Corroba Oval, Stockton ($88,000)
- Taree Wildcats FC, Omaru Park, Taree ($205, 180)
- Lake Macquarie City Council, Evans Park, Cardiff ($275,000)
- Port Stephens Council, Tomaree Sports Complex ($79,475)
The program has seen the state government commit up to $25 million in investing to revive sport facilities by providing new, and redeveloping existing, sport facility bathrooms and changerooms.
Funding will also support the delivery of new and upgraded lighting that will enable more women and girls to train and compete in sport in a safe and inclusive environment.
NNSWF Community Football Manager Ross Hicks said he was delighted to be able to tangibly assist community clubs.
“The Taree Wildcats FC and South Lismore Celtic FC applications had assistance from NNSWF and our grant writing consultant,” Hicks said.
“It was fantastic to see other clubs who I had consultation with and advised were also successful with their applications.”
As well as the successful Female Friendly Community Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades grant program, NNSWF has enjoyed plenty of other recent grant triumphs.
NNSWF club facilities received more than $3.8 million thanks to the NSW government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.
Round five of the fund saw 12 NNSWF projects chosen to receive funding including:
- Alstonville & District FC, Crawford Park ($230,505)
- Byron Bay FC, Byron Bay Recreation Grounds ($356,280)
- Bellbird FC (Cessnock City Council), Carmichael Park, Bellbird ($138,000)
- Corindi Red Rock SAISC, Corindi Sports Fields, ($205,379)
- Clarence Town FC (Dungog Shire Council), Clarence Town Sporting Reserve ($275,000)
- Gresford Vacy FC (Dungog Shire Council), Paterson Sports Ground, ($216,797)
- Valentine FC (Lake Macquarie City Council), Croudace Bay Sports Complex ($800,837)
- Quirindi FC (Liverpool Plains Shire Council), Longfield Oval ($685,200)
- Muswellbrook FC (Muswellbrook Shire Council), Victoria Park ($100,000)
- Pacific Palms FC (Pacific Palms Community Association), Pacific Palms Sport Fields ($288,399)
- Medowie FC (Port Stephens Council), Yulong Oval ($399,500)
- Seaham Bowthorne FC (Port Stephens Council), Bowthorne Park ($126,632)
The Stronger Country Communities Fund aims to boost the wellbeing of communities in regional areas by providing new or upgraded social and sporting infrastructure or community programs that have strong local support.
The fund saw the state government commit $160 million in total, including up to $50 million for projects delivered by eligible community organisations.
NNSWF Interim CEO Peter Haynes encouraged clubs to engage with the governing body to access funds.
“We have a dedicated community football department and Ross and his team do an outstanding job engaging with clubs to help them obtain money for vital projects,” Haynes said.
“We are here for the clubs throughout our region so please get in touch with us so we can find the best way to assist your club.”
