Five northern NSW community football clubs have received funding for significant infrastructure projects to improve club facilities thanks to Northern NSW Football’s Facilities Fund.
The clubs have been awarded $219,705 in matched funding to invest in community football facility improvements across northern NSW.
The Northern NSW Football’s Facilities Fund was established in 2019 and aligns to the recently launched NSW Football Infrastructure Strategy.
Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland said the submissions, which were reviewed against predetermined criteria with independent review, had been impressive.
“We had a number of submissions which were of a very high standard,” Eland said.
“The projects which were successful will significantly contribute towards the strategic goal of the fund which is to increase the number of community football facilities that are welcoming, fit for purpose and support the growth of the game.”
Northern NSW Football Head of Football Development Peter Haynes said with growing demand, clubs found it increasingly difficult to provide and maintain facilities which meet users’ needs and expectations.
“The Facilities Fund provides clubs another avenue to seek significant funding for facility projects and in turn increase participation, improve safety and security, assist in building stronger communities through football and improve the overall football experience for their members and stakeholders,” Haynes said.
|
Applicant |
Zone |
Facility |
Project description |
Total cost |
Requested funding |
|
Cooks Hill Utd FC |
Newcastle Football |
Fearnley Dawes Athletics Facility |
Surface upgrade inc. irrigation |
$148,555 |
$68,555 |
|
Garden Suburb FC |
Macquarie Football |
Garden Suburb Recreational Grounds |
Lighting upgrade |
$80,000 |
$40,000 |
|
Maryland Fletcher FC |
Newcastle Football |
Kurraka Reserve |
Upgrade of sports field lighting |
$80,000 |
$40,000 |
|
Mayfield Utd JSFC |
Newcastle Football |
Stevenson Park |
Upgrade of playing surface |
$100,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Old Bar Barbarians FC |
Football Mid North Coast |
E.G.Trads Sporting Complex |
Irrigation system |
$42,300 |
$21,150 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
$450,855 |
$219,705 |
Garden Suburb FC president Leonard Allen said the Macquarie Football club were delighted to have been successful in their application.
“Basically both of our grounds are poorly lit so we’re hoping to completely upgrade the lighting on our main field. This allows us to open up some extra training space, gives us a chance to use a second field for night games as well as reliably light our main ground,” he said.
“The funding is pretty important. It’s very hard for a [community] club to fund itself. The big ticket items like infrastructure and facilities you wouldn’t be able to do yourself. It’s a big amount of money but it’s also a big project and this funding makes it viable for us to consider as a project.”
The Facilities Fund was established in order to assist football clubs to partner with local stakeholders such as Local Government Authorities, state government, schools, other sports and relevant landowners to:
- Improve the football experience for players, referees, coaches and volunteers;
- Provide opportunities for more participants to play more football more often;
- Improve the safety of community facilities;
- Provide inclusive football opportunities within clubs; and
- Improve security at community football facilities
Applications for the 2021 round of funding through the NNSWF Facilities Fund will open soon.
For further information, guidance or enquiries clubs are encouraged to contact NNSWF Senior Officer – Community Football Ross Hicks (02 4941 7200 or rhicks@northernnswfootball.com.au)
