City of Newcastle pitching in to help local sporting clubs

Junior cricketers in Stockton will have a better chance of one day wearing a baggy green cap thanks to a $10,000 boost from City of Newcastle (CN).

The funding will upgrade the two cricket grounds at Ballast Park, with new artificial turf wickets providing a better playing experience for Stockton Junior Cricket Club players, as well as visiting teams.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle 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," Cr 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 CN'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 was just one of the topics discussed with sporting groups last night as part of CN’s second Sports Summit at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Representatives from all sporting codes that utilise CN's outdoor facilities were invited to take part in the summit, which was designed to enhance collaborative relationships between CN and the local sporting community.

Chair of CN's Sports Infrastructure Working Party, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz, said the initiative is 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."