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 |
Old Bar Barbarians FC president Rhett Tubbs said the Football Mid North Coast club were delighted to have been successful in their application.
“Where our fields are situated there is a large storm water retention [area] so we’re just trying to make better use of the water there. It’ll just help us maintain our fields in a much better condition. Through the last year we’ve had drought, fires, floods then a pandemic. So this will at least help us deal with the first three of those,” he said.
“As you can imagine through all that it makes it very difficult financially as far as sponsors and your bottom line. It’s just a huge boost to our organisation. We can use all the help we can get. I can’t tell you how much it’s going to help, as a morale boost as well, just knowing we’re not doing it alone. We’re very lucky to have been successful.”
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)
