The NSW State Government announced its Clubgrants Category 3 Fund – Infrastructure Grants – Round 1 recently with five football venues receiving funding for facility upgrades.
The infrastructure grants are made possible through the NSW Government’s Clubgrants Category 3 Fund, which reinvests a contribution from the state’s registered clubs gaming machine profits back in the community projects.
Funding can be used toward the costs of construction, alteration, renovation, completion and fit-out of buildings and community infrastructure.
Infrastructure is a key component to the growth of Australia’s largest participated. Many football fields are over-used, in poor condition and demand often outstrips supply. Significant investment is required to improve the quality and quantity of facilities to maintain current playing numbers, and this situation will worsen as the population continues to grow.
Infrastructure grants such as the Clubgrants Category 3 assist in improving the quality and quantity of football fields across NSW.
The five successful football venues that received funding were:
1. Camden Tigers FC – Floodlighting – $101,000 (Football NSW)
The funding will contribute to a Camden Council project installing floodlights to fields three and four at Ron Dine Reserve. The lighting will allow Camden Tigers Football Club to play competition games, train and run activities on those grounds at night, expanding the capacity of the reserve.
2. Melrose FC – Floodlighting – $115,900 (Football NSW)
The funding will contribute to a Melrose Football Club and Albury City Council project to install three lighting towers at Melrose Park. The new lighting will meet Australian Standards for sporting grounds and ensure safe night-time competitions, training and events can be run at the park.
3. Robertson-Burrawang Rovers Soccer Club – New amenities building – $129,000 (Football NSW)
The funding will contribute to a Robertson-Burrawang Rovers Soccer Club project to install new change rooms and referee’s amenities. This will provide privacy and security for match officials and additional storage. The club will also install a new canteen and improve the facility’s access for people with a disability.
4. Westlake’s Wildcats FC – Grandstands – $189,000 (Northern NSW Football)
The project will construct two grandstands at Westlake’s Wildcats Football Club. The new facilities will accommodate around 520 spectators, visitors, officials and volunteers in a safe and environmentally friendly atmosphere.
5. Tomaree Sports Complex – New multipurpose building – $300,000
The funding will contribute to a Port Stephens Council project constructing a new multi-purpose building at Tomaree Sports Complex. The project will deliver a meeting room for clubs and youth groups, accessible amenities and change rooms, canteen, storage area, office space, referee room and first-aid room.
Round 2 of the Clubgrants Category 3 grant is currently open with applications closing on Monday 9 December 2019.
Round 3 will open on the 16 March 2020 and close on 6 April 2020.
See the website for more details on the Clubgrants Category 3 grant.
