Junior cricketers in Stockton have received a $10,000 boost from City of Newcastle Council.
The funding will be used to upgrade cricket grounds at Ballast Park, with new artificial turf wickets to provide a better playing experience.
Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes said Council is committed to upgrading sporting facilities across the community for the benefit of all.
“Novocastrians love their sport, which is why City of Newcastle is committed to enhancing our sporting facilities to benefit our local teams and participants,” Lord Mayor Nelmes said.
“Providing this grant funding to local clubs will help to further enhance the facilities they use on a weekly basis and deliver major infrastructure upgrades as part of our annual capital works program, which in the past year has seen more than $6.3 million invested into sporting projects.
“We’re proud to work closely with our sporting clubs to ensure our community has continued access to high quality sporting and leisure opportunities now and into the future.”
Nine projects have been supported through Council’s 2023/24 Recreation Facilities Grants including upgrades to storage facilities for cricket and outrigger canoe clubs, new grandstands for the New Lambton Eagles at Alder Park, as well as creating the region’s first 18-hole disc golf course at Beresfield.
Future funding opportunities were just one of the topics discussed with sporting groups last night as part of Council’s second Sports Summit (pictured) at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Representatives from all sporting codes that utilise outdoor Council facilities were invited to take part in the summit, which was designed to enhance collaborative relationships between Council and the local sporting community.
Chair of Council’s Sports Infrastructure Working Party, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the initiative was already having an impact, gaining positive feedback following the 2022 Summit.
“We recognise the importance of engaging in clear and transparent communication with local sporting organisations and the community on the planning and management of our sporting facilities and services,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.
“The Sports Summit aligns perfectly with City of Newcastle’s Strategic Sports Plan, which aims to build better relationships with the sporting community and has been well received by local sporting groups and associations, with more than 100 representatives from 50 local clubs taking part this year.
“With regular changes to representatives on sporting committees, our Sports Summit provided a valuable opportunity to discuss everything from ground allocations, fees and charges to updates on current and upcoming project works and City of Newcastle’s policy on CCTV,” she said.
