Football clubs in Greater Sydney have a share of $10 million in funding, as part of Round 1 of the Greater Cities Sports Facility Fund.
15 football projects were announced – ranging from new amenity buildings, synthetic fields, lighting upgrades and field renovations.
The NSW Government has confirmed a major investment in sports facilities across NSW, awarding more than $52 million in grants under the Greater Cities and Regional Sport Facility Fund.
NSW Minister for Sport Natalie Ward said the projects are to improve accessibility, inclusion and participation opportunities for females and people with disability.
Football funding was spread throughout Greater Sydney, from as far south as Fairy Meadow (Illawarra United Stingrays) and west in the Bankstown region (Padstow) and into Sydney’s northwest region (Kenthurst Park).
Sutherland Shire FA benefitted from three successful projects worth over $1.4 million towards amenity upgrades and a major lighting upgrade to Heathcote Oval.
Canterbury District Soccer Football Association clubs scored $2 million in funding with the implementation of Waterworth Park ($1 million) and a new amenity building at Ewen Park for Hurlstone Park Wanderers FC also assisted with $1 million.
Football NSW CEO Stuart Hodge thanked the NSW Government for its support to bring these much-needed infrastructure upgrades to clubs.
“The funding from the NSW Government will assist our football clubs in meeting the future demand of the largest sport in Australia and NSW,” Hodge said.
“The NSW Football Infrastructure Strategy recognises that football demand is already exceeding facility supply. If action is not taken now to plan infrastructure over the coming decade, then the gap will widen and opportunities to play will be lost.”
Seven venues received funding for amenity upgrades, supporting Football NSW’s focus area of increasing and improving gender neutral player and match official change room provision under the Inclusive Football Facilities pillar of the NSW Football Infrastructure Strategy.
Amenity upgrades will help improve the current facility situation where only one in five amenity buildings are gender neutral and female friendly across NSW.
As the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is only two years away, infrastructure projects funded in Round 1 will provide an enormous benefit for clubs as they future proof their venue in anticipation of increased female participants over the coming years.
The successfully funded projects will allow players, coaches, referees and volunteers of all abilities to fully enjoy their football experience well into the future.
A full list of successful recipients from the Greater Cities Facility Fund, Round 1 can be found here.
An extra $25 million will be made available in Round 2 of the Greater Cities Sports Facility Fund which is expected to open shortly.
Clubs and associations seeking funding for the next round should contact Daniel Ristic from the Facilities and Advocacy Unit at Football NSW.
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