New South Wales Sport and Recreation Grants

Mr MATTHEW MORRIS (Charlestown) [5.19 p.m.]: New South Wales Sport and Recreation grants were announced a few weeks ago. All members would acknowledge the importance of sport and recreation to our communities and the benefits derived by young people who participate in sport, such as keeping active and fit, participating in team building, and making friendships, which often last for many years. The provision of sports services and facilities comes at a cost. I am pleased the Government has consistently been proactive in supporting individual clubs and organisations in securing sport and recreation grants. The grants are used for a range of works, including amenities upgrades, disabled access, fencing, seating, storage facilities and ground improvements. That is not an exhaustive list but shows the type of work that is undertaken by sports clubs. The various sporting codes need assistance in improving the facilities and grounds they occupy.

Warners Bay Soccer Club is a strong club in the electorate of Charlestown. It started out as a very small, unknown club and built up over the years into probably the strongest soccer club in the local area, with about 600 registered players. The club has taken a great deal of responsibility upon itself to improve its facilities, contributing significant amounts of money. I am pleased to be in a position to support its efforts and assist in the provision of sport and recreation grants. The most recent grant for Warners Bay Soccer Club was in the order of $25,000 to assist in the completion of drainage work on the grounds. If grounds are not in a reasonable state of condition, games can be postponed for weeks. The club is well supported by players and parents. I am pleased the Government complements the work they do by providing sport and recreation funds.

Many other organisations and clubs have been successful in the grants process. New applications are lodged each year when the grant round is opened. I encourage clubs that have not made an application to do so. I know they are out there. I call for their commitment to lodge an application and allow me, and particularly the Government, the opportunity to take a stronger role in supporting the various sporting codes. Recently I have been in discussion with Lake Macquarie City Council. For many months the council has been crying poor. I note that the council is considering spending $57 million on a new administration centre. At the same time it has significantly increased fees and charges for sporting clubs. Those working mums and dads who put their young ones into sport are now paying significantly more in fees and charges for their children to participate.

In comparison, the neighbouring Newcastle City Council has a much stronger commitment to sport and recreation facilities. It spends much more time and energy on looking after its open spaces and sportsgrounds and provides more resources. Lake Macquarie council, a sizeably bigger council with a greater level of revenue, spends significantly less than Newcastle council on public sports facilities. I hope that situation will change in due course. Until then, the clubs in the area rely on New South Wales Sport and Recreation grants. It is a team effort. I thank Michael Reay and his team at Warners Bay Soccer for their commitment to sport for the young people of the area and for their energy and effort in fundraising, campaigning and lobbying to secure additional funds for the betterment of soccer.