With the results of the 2023 NSW State Election now finalised, Football NSW congratulates the Labor Party and the newly elected Premier, Chris Minns, on their victory.
During the campaign, Labor made over $1 million worth of commitments to local football clubs for infrastructure upgrades such as drainage, changeroom upgrades and lighting.
NSW Labor also committed to increasing funding for community sport by raising the Organisation Support Program funding to $5 million in 2023-24 and $10 million per year in the years after that.
Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas, was keen to ensure a strong working relationship with the Minns Government over the coming years.
“We thank Chris Minns and the Labor Party for the commitments provided to our community and for their increased support to state sporting organisations,” he said.
“In 2023, Football NSW has already broken junior playing records and, with the significant impact of the FIFA Women’s World Cup still ahead of us, it is vital we have the infrastructure to support the continued growth of Australia’s biggest organised participation sport.
“Football NSW, together with our Associations and clubs, look forward to working with the Minns Government on improving community football infrastructure to ensure NSW residents, of all ages and abilities, have access to playing opportunities.”
The Football NSW grassroots football season kicked off on the 1-2 April off the back of a record number of junior players (5 to 12 years old) signed up across metropolitan Sydney and with late registrations still coming through.
In Western Sydney, girls and women’s registrations are up 8% (year-to-date), providing some great signs ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ (FWWC2023).
In addition to the election promises made to local Clubs and Associations, Labor also committed to converting Eagle Vale High School into a sports high school to reduce the access gap for gifted and talented athletes in the growing South West Sydney region.
The conversion of the high school will include a new multi-purpose hall, an all-weather pitch, sports oval improvements and change room upgrades, all of which will be of benefit to the growing football community.
The Labor victory puts an end to the former Liberal and Nationals Government’s 12 years in charge, during which billions was invested into infrastructure grants and other community sporting programs.
In 2022, the former Government announced a $10 million investment into the NSW Football Legacy Program to ensure the benefits of the FWWC2023 were felt by the entire NSW football community.
“The investment in community sport has seen a major increase over the past 12 years and its important we acknowledge the significant contributions of the former Government,” said Tsatsimas.
“In particular, I thank Mr Perrottet and his team for the investment into the NSW Football Legacy Program last year, which will providing a lasting legacy around female participation for years to come.”
The following football organisations received an election promise from Labor candidates in NSW:
| Electorate | Club | Amount |
| Camden | Camden Tigers FC | $58,000 |
| East Hills | Revesby Workers FC | $80,000 |
| East Hills | Bankstown District Amateur Football Association | $50,000 |
| East Hills | Georges River Thistles | $7,000 |
| Hawkesbury | Bligh Park FC | $100,000 |
| Leppington | Kemps Creek United SC | $50,000 |
| Miranda | Como Jannali FC | $40,000 |
| Riverstone | Quakers Hills Tigers SC | $250,000 |
| Willoughby | Northbridge FC | $100,000 |
| Wollongong | Cringilla Lions | $200,000 |
| Wollongong | Coniston Lions | $100,000 |
| TOTAL | $1,035,000 |
