Newsletter December 2018
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facilities WATCH THE VIDEO
COMMUNITY IMPACT OF FOOTBALL IN NSW TO REACH $1 BILLION BY 2025
GROW, DEVELOP & PROMOTE THE GAME
This Issue
Football NSW and Northern NSW Football have partnered with world renowned and experienced management consultancy Sport Business Partners (SBP) to research the broad economic, health and social benefits of football in the community.
This study is a repeat of the first Community Impact Study commissioned in 2015 and provides a series of findings based on empirical research that establishes a framework for increased advocacy and lobbying in the lead up to the Federal and State elections to be held in 2019. Since the release of the inaugural Community Impact of Football study in 2015, football’s total overall contribution to NSW communities has increased by 23% – almost five times the rate of inflation. According to the independent SBP research the total financial impact of football in 2018 has increased to a staggering $520 million. At this current growth rate, SBP has extrapolated that the
02 State Government funding in 2018 03 Successful Northern NSW Facilities Forum
04 Funding announced for Wallamba FC 04 Football features in NSW Parliament
06 New funding granted for Lake
Macquarie regional football facility
07 South West Rocks receives $2.46 million funding
08 Synthetic field update
05 Northern NSW Football Facilities Fund applications open
05 Coffs Harbour receives $10 million funding
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Continued from page 1
total community impact of football in NSW will reach $1 billion by 2025. This figure is purely for grassroots communities and excludes benefits generated by major events or games involving the Socceroos and the Matildas, the Hyundai A-League/ Westfield W-League or visiting international professional clubs.
State Government Funding in 2018
Football NSW Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Hodge stated “The Federal Government’s AusPlay survey continues to report Football as the largest teambased sport in NSW with over 629,000 participants, making it the perfect vehicle to support the development of inclusive and healthy communities”. Hodge further commented that “The physical and mental health benefits delivered by Football to the NSW community are simply astonishing. The annual community contribution which football provides through reducing common diseases is valued at $4.6 million. Our diverse and accepting culture towards people from all backgrounds and abilities, serves to unite and strengthen our community bonds and further emphasises football’s social impact to the state of NSW.” The research invited members of the community to comment about the role that the sport plays in their daily lifestyle with one respondent stating, “As a migrant with no friends growing up in Australia, football gave me friends for life who only cared about my love for football and not the colour of my skin.” Northern NSW Football Chief Executive, David Eland added, “Football brings people together of different ages, genders and backgrounds thereby creating greater diversity within individual social networks. Our summer football and walking football programs clearly reinforces our philosophy of football ‘anytime, anywhere, anyhow with anyone’.” “Our Community Impact of Football study further emphasises that a strategic investment in football infrastructure pay dividends and delivers a return on investment for the NSW economy. With an aging population and rising health care costs as a result of chronic diseases, this study demonstrates that participation in football can and does deliver significant health benefits. By providing appropriate facilities, participants will be able to play football more consistently throughout the year in safe and inviting settings, leading to long term engagement with the sport, and an overall healthier society.” Download the full report on the Football Facilities website.
Investment into grassroots facilities is vital for the continued growth of football in NSW and Australia. Ensuring communities have adequate spaces where people can actively engage in sport and recreation can provide economic, social, health, educational and cultural outcomes for all. Our recent 2018 Community Impact of Football report clearly showed that football has so much to offer to the communities of NSW. Since the release of the inaugural Community Impact of Football study in 2015, football’s total overall contribution to NSW communities has increased by 23% – almost five times the rate of inflation. At this current growth rate, the total community impact of football in NSW is expected to reach $1 billion by 2025. 2018 has been a successful year for football with more than $70 million worth of funding allocated to community clubs, associations and zones. These funding announcements have been fantastic news for football, the largest participated sport in the state. Some of the funding highlights include: •$ 2.3 million for 19 projects under the NSW Asian Cup Legacy Fund – Round 2 •$ 4.8 million for Gannon’s Park and Poulton Park in the St George Football Association
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• $10 million for Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Centre • $2.25 million for Northern NSW Football home of football at Speers Point Further investment in football infrastructure at the community level is crucial to ensure the economic, health, social benefits of football continue. Further investment by the State Government will also assist the NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian in achieving several of her priorities, the main one which is ‘tackling childhood obesity’. Football NSW and Northern NSW Football would like to thank the NSW State Government for the millions of dollars that has been announced for football clubs in 2018. Football will continue to work with the State Government in 2019 to ensure further funding is provided to community football clubs.
SUCCESSFUL NORTHERN NSW FACILITIES FORUM Northern NSW Football, the Facilities and Advocacy Unit and Sports Turf Association of Australia joined forces to bring a forum full of informative and valuable information for clubs to take back to their own facilities. Football faces real challenges at all levels of the game to access enough facilities of the right quality to play hence why holding forums like this is vital for grassroots clubs to assist them in improving their own facilities. The third Northern NSW Football Facility Forum was held on Saturday 10 November with McDonald Jones Stadium playing host once again. Over 50 attendees from across the Northern NSW Football footprint attended the Facilities Forum. The forum saw presentations from Maitland City Council, Keith McPhee (Sports Facilities Team Leader) who spoke on getting the balance right for playing fields and Laurie D’Angelo (Manager Community and Recreation) who took the group through some basics when dealing with Local Council. ANZ Stadium curator Graeme Logan gave the clubs an insight into what’s involved when preparing ANZ Stadium for the multitude of events that it hosts from World Cup qualifiers to music concerts. Attendees were then given the opportunity to step foot on McDonald Jones Stadium, with the Sports Turf Association providing some demonstrations on how fields are tested for hardness, moisture, etc. “The Facilities and Advocacy Unit’s aim is to, develop and promote the game by supporting our members and stakeholders” said Manager – Infrastructure, Planning and Strategy, Jas Virdee.
“Facility forums such as this Northern NSW Facilities Forum provides clubs and zones with up to date information which can help improve football facilities at the grassroot level” continued Mr Virdee. Overall the forum was once again a success bringing clubs and zones together to improve the football environment for the largest participated sport in NSW and Australia.
from the Facilities & Advocacy Unit Football Facilities | Facilities & Advocacy Unit | December 2018 Newsletter | 03
FUNDING ANNOUNCED FOR WALLAMBA FC The State Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead recently announced $393,000 for a new amenities building at Aub Ferris Oval, Nabiac.
Over the last few months Football NSW and Northern NSW Football have conducted an in-depth audit across every football facility in NSW. During this audit the amenities building at Aub Ferris Oval was rated poor and needed repair.
The new building will replace the current amenities building which was built in 1982.
Wallamba FC President, Dave Weller featured on local news speaking about the need for new change rooms to cater for the growing number of females playing football in the area.
The current building doesn’t meet the current needs of Wallamba FC, a growing club in the Football Mid North Coast Zone of Northern NSW.
The funding will see new change rooms, toilets and a new clubhouse built at Aub Ferris Oval for Wallamba FC and the entire Nabiac community.
Prime 7 – View Here
Wallamba FC is also home to former Socceroo and Fox Sports commentator Andy Harper. Andy and his wife Rebecca are committee members at Wallamba FC.
FOOTBALL FEATURES IN NSW PARLIAMENT On Thursday 25 October 2018, Sonia Hornery, State Member for Wallsend spoke in NSW Parliament about the need for greater investment into football the largest team-based sport in NSW. Football makes a considerable contribution to the NSW economy each and every year and with further investment in football facilities the NSW economy would see an additional $200 million added to the economy. Ms Hornery encouraged the Minister for Sport, The Hon. Stuart Ayres “to unlock funding to invest in football facilities across NSW”. “Football’s appeal as the most popular sport in NSW makes it the ideal vehicle to support the development of healthy and inclusive communities, providing improved social, health, educational and cultural outcomes for all”, stated Ms Hornery. “The sport is growing, and facilities are not keeping up with demand. Every season 2,500 players are turned away as more Australians become fans of football. More will be turned away, robbing them of the sport’s benefits and keeping money out of our local economies” continued the Member for Wallsend. Facilities and Advocacy Unit Manager – Government Relations, Funding and Infrastructure, Daniel Ristic said “It’s fantastic to see the world game being discussed in NSW State Parliament. Football is truly a sport that touches so many families across NSW every year”.
Member for Blacktown, Stephen Bali added to the conversation in parliament commenting, “Football has a significant effect on social enhancement, cross-culture inclusion and the economic bonus of over half a billion dollars per annum”. Member for Camden, Chris Patterson agreed with Sonia’s motion and confirmed that “football games are fantastic for local economies”. Football NSW and Northern NSW Football thanks the Member for Wallsend for shining the light on the benefits that football brings to the state of NSW, whether that be economic, social or health. In October Football NSW and Northern NSW Football released an updated Community Impact of Football study which researched the broad economic, health and social benefits of football in the community.
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This study is a repeat of the first Community Impact Study commissioned in 2015 and provides a series of findings based on empirical research that establishes a framework for increased advocacy and lobbying in the lead up to the Federal and State elections to be held in 2019. Since the release of the inaugural Community Impact of Football study in 2015, football’s total overall contribution to NSW communities has increased by 23% – almost five times the rate of inflation. According to the independent SBP research the total financial impact of football in 2018 has increased to a staggering $520 million. At this current growth rate, SBP has extrapolated that the total community impact of football in NSW will reach $1 billion by 2025. To read Member for Wallsend’s motion in NSW Parliament click here.
Northern nsw football FACILITIES FUND APPLICATIONS OPEN Applications for Northern NSW Football’s (NNSWF) Facilities Fund are now open providing a fantastic opportunity for clubs to improve their facilities for club members and their community. The NNSWF Facilities Fund is an initiative which has been established to provide funding assistance to football clubs to partner with local councils, government and local stakeholders to improve the quality, availability, accessibility and safety of their facilities. The Program aims to assist clubs in improving their football facilities 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. Project partnerships are encouraged, and identification of all project partners is required (e.g. Local Government Authorities, State Government, schools, other sports, other landowners, local business partnerships). Applicants need to provide a copy of landowner’s consent where the project will occur on land that is not owned by the Club. A declaration from Council is required where there is a partnership with Council. This may include a letter of support, a letter outlining lease arrangements or support for favourable conditions for the Club. Total funding made available by NNSWF is $325,000 with a minimum of $20,000 and maximum of $100,000 matched funding available. For examples of eligible projects please refer to the fund guidelines.
HOW TO APPLY
The primary objectives of the NNSWF Facilities Fund is to;
1. Download or print the fund guidelines
• Provide more opportunities for more participants to play more football, more often; • Improve the football experience for players, referees, coaches and volunteers;
2. R ead the Guidelines for information about the Program, determine if your project is eligible and familiarise yourself with the Program process and requirements
• Address issues which undermine the safety of participants; and
3. Complete the online application
• Promote inclusive football opportunities within clubs.
4. S ubmit the application by the closing date and time
There are four steps in the application process;
Applications close 5pm March 31, 2019. Please direct enquiries about your application to: Ross Hicks NNSWF Senior Officer – Club Development – 02 49 417 205 or rhicks@northernnswfootball.com.au
Please direct enquiries about the Facilities Fund generally to: NSW Facilities & Advocacy Unit – 1300 213 771.
Coffs Harbour receives $10 million funding The Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Centre was awarded $10 million in State Government funding for upgrades under the Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund. The upgrade includes: • Three new rectangular fields with subsurface drainage including Australian Standard lighting. • New sports amenity block to service new fields and upgrade of existing amenity block to regional standard. • New access road and car park for new fields and much-needed major event parking.
This project will allow North Coast Football to base its highperformance teams including Skill Acquisition Phase and National Premier League Youth teams at this facility providing a quality training and match day venue, which they do not currently have.
• Connectivity: including new shared footpath, cycleway, pedestrian bridges linking the three major sites within the Regional Sports Hub (Stadium, Education Campus and Health Campus).
The venue upgrades will also cater for any overflow of community football and the new amenities building will cater for female players, coaches and officials providing an opportunity to increase these teams.
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NEW FUNDING GRANTED FOR LAKE MACQUARIE REGIONAL FOOTBALL FACILITY Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald MLC today announced a $2.25 million NSW Liberal National Government grant for Stage Two of the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility from the Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund. Mr MacDonald said the grant, in conjunction with $750,000 in co-funding from Northern NSW Football, would upgrade the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility which will benefit Northern NSW Football’s capacity to engage young girls in talented player pathway and host events of regional, state, national and international significance. “The grant for Stage Two will fund construction of a multi-purpose building with a dedicated football education centre, installation of 200 lux sports field lights to
increase hours of play on a turf football pitch at the entrance of the facility, as well as new change rooms and toilets for players and match officials,” Mr MacDonald said. “This is fantastic news not just for Northern NSW Football but for the Lake Macquarie region,” Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper said. “I worked with David Eland and others to get this facility up and running, so seeing State funding for the second stage is really great. The facility not only provides firstclass facilities for locals, it has put us on the map nationally and even internationally, so I again applaud everyone involved.” “Northern NSW Football is greatly appreciative of the NSW Government’s support through the Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund,” Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland said. “The grant of $2.25m will enable Northern NSW Football to proceed with Stage 2 of the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility which will include the construction of a significant multi-purpose amenities building and new lighting which will service the under-utilised turf pitch at the entrance of the facility.” “Northern NSW Football applauds the NSW Government’s investment in sporting facilities throughout regional NSW.”
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“Northern NSW Football acknowledges the unwavering support of the State Member for Lake Macquarie, Mr Greg Piper MP for the Lake Macquarie Regional Football facility from the outset.” “I congratulate Northern NSW Football and look forward to seeing this facility come to life with countless benefits for local players, athletes, teams, their fans and the wider sporting community,” Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said. “The NSW Liberal National Government has been working hard to make regional NSW a great place to live, work and play, to lift sports participation and help to foster a sense of pride and identity in regional communities. Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said building and improving sporting facilities in regional NSW will develop pathways for strong athletes and create spaces for the community to come together and enjoy active and healthy lifestyles. “By upgrading and expanding regional NSW stadiums, fields, training facilities and sporting hubs, we provide rising stars with the means to further develop their skills and encourage others to participate on the field or on the sidelines,” Mr Ayres said. For more information about the Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund, click here.
South West Rocks receives $2.46 million funding A new, three-story multi-sport and training facility will be built in South West Rocks with the help of a $2.46 million NSW Government grant via the Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund. This new state-of-the-art complex will fill a gap in high performance infrastructure and capabilities for athletes, coaches and officials across a range of sports in the Mid North Coast region. The money being spent will bring these facilities to the standard required to host a variety of national and state level matches and competitions across Cricket, Netball, Rugby Union, Rugby League, AFL and Football, which will have significant flow-on benefits such as increasing tourism and boosting local economies. The Project includes: • A 781 seat grandstand with 18 wheelchair spaces • Change rooms This project will provide a safer and well-lit facility providing more opportunities for the local club to train and play night matches, whilst the high-performance infrastructure provides a venue for Football Mid North Coast to host high performance teams and carnivals in the area.
• Disabled amenities • Flexible use community sport and recreation areas • Media broadcast and coaches boxes • Upgraded sports field LED lighting
The addition of a new amenities facility will also cater for the current and future female participants, coaches and officials.
• Perimeter fencing
Our new
WEBSITE IS LIVE! www.footballfacilities.com.au
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SYNTHETIC FIELD UPDATE Northern Beaches Council, Wollongong City Council and the City of Canterbury Bankstown Council have started construction of four synthetic fields. These projects will help with the ongoing challenges for the demand of space with an increase in sport participation. Football has over 1.1 million participants playing nationally and 629,100 participating in NSW. The local sport community will benefit from the investment in these all-weather playing fields by being able to play year-round on consistent playing surfaces.
Lionel Watts Reserve – Northern Beaches Council (2 fields)
Ian McLennan Park – Wollongong City Council (1 field) 08 | Football Facilities | Facilities & Advocacy Unit | December 2018 Newsletter
Jensen Park – City of Canterbury Bankstown (1 field)