Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries has encouraged local rugby league clubs in Barwon planning to upgrade or build new facilities to apply for funding under the new 'NSW Footy Facilities Fund'.
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The new 'NSW Footy Facilities Fund' will see the NSW government and the NRL invest $1 million each into a funding program to support junior and senior rugby league clubs upgrade or build new facilities.
This may include spending on items such as new seating, goal posts, canteens, lights, fields, fencing, drainage, dressing rooms or storage facilities.
To secure a grant of up to $75,000 from the joint investment fund, local rugby league clubs must be able to match the grant through their own financial or in kind contribution, including obtaining some support from the council if the facilities are on council land.
"This is a game-changer for rugby league clubs in Barwon," Mr Humphries said.
"This new partnership between the NSW government and NRL will help give our local clubs modern facilities they can be proud of because we all know modern facilities make sport more accessible which helps get more kids involved.
"I commend the NRL for working with the NSW government for delivering for the grassroots of the game in rugby league loving areas like ours.
"By renovating local sports infrastructure, the NSW government is also helping to strengthen our community."
Minister for Sport and Recreation Gabrielle Upton added the state government is determined to keep increasing participation in sport.
"Providing players with good facilities can be the difference between getting them playing the game or losing them to the iPad or Xbox," Ms Upton said.
"Local rugby league clubs run on the blood, sweat and tears of tireless volunteers who work so hard to raise funds to make their club the very best.
"The 'NSW Footy Facilities Fund' will allow them to tap into funding and fast track their improvement plans."
NRL chief executive Dave Smith said the NRL and the NSW government had worked together to deliver an effective program that would improve the standard of rugby league grounds and facilities, and deliver participation, safety and social benefits to local NSW communities.
"Through working in partnership we can drive investment of more than $4 million and deliver better results for rugby league clubs across the state," he said.
"Our mini football (ages five to nine) player numbers grew by more than 5 per cent last year across Australia and this program will ensure better facilities are in place to support our NSW players.
"This grant program will also help deliver social and economic outcomes for many communities across the state, from Wagga Wagga to Wollondilly, Ballina to Broken Hill, by creating jobs and building community facilities.
"The support from the NSW government for grassroots rugby league clubs has been fantastic and we look forward to seeing the outcomes of this new program come to life over the next few years."
Details of the 'NSW Footy Facilities Fund' and how to apply can be found at http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/grants/
Clubs are encouraged to download the grant guidelines to ensure their applications meet the objectives of the program, which include: increasing regular and on-going participation opportunities in rugby league in a safe and sustainable manner and improve the standard of rugby league grounds and facilities for participation, safety and social benefits.
The project should address both of the objectives.
