The success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023TM continues to leave a legacy for football in NSW following the awarding of more than $3.2 million from round two of the NSW Football Legacy Fund.
More than 90 community football projects received funding for new facilities and participation initiatives that will benefit community football.
The funding is part of the NSW government’s $10 million NSW Football Legacy Program that is supporting the construction of new and upgraded facilities, participation initiatives, high performance, leadership and development programs as well as tourism and international engagement as a direct result of NSW hosting games at the tournament.
The NSW Football Legacy Fund is a collaboration between the NSW Office of Sport, Football Australia, Northern NSW Football and Football NSW with $6.3 million awarded for almost 200 projects across the two rounds of the fund.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 tournament set new records with more than 1.9 million spectators attending games and almost 750,000 fans attending FIFA Fan Festivals throughout the tournament with the Matildas semi-final appearance and fourth-placed finish Australia’s best ever result at a FIFA World Cup.
WINS FOR NORTHERN NSW CLUBS
Twenty participation projects in northern NSW were successful. Hamilton Azzurri received $14,862 to run CALD girls’ programs while Lochinvar Rovers were given $13,125 for female uniforms. Ballina SC also received $4,183 for junior development and goalkeeping coaching programs.
Nine northern NSW infrastructure projects received funding including Greta Branxton FC who were given $150,000 for lighting upgrades at Miller Park. While Maitland City Council received $129,450 for their A&D Lawrence Oval Thornton lighting upgrade.
Northern NSW Football CEO Peter Haynes:
“The nation was captivated and inspired by the success of the Matildas at the 2023 FIFA World Cupᵀᴹ, demonstrating the desire for expansion within female football in our country,” Haynes said.
“This funding will allow for new facilities and participation initiatives to be implemented, which will significantly improve the experience of women and girls within our game which is a big win within the northern NSW football community.”
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper:
“The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 took women’s sport in Australia to new levels.,” Kamper said.
“The NSW government is committed to ensuring the momentum created by the Matildas’ success leaves a positive legacy for women and girls at all levels of football.
“The $3.2 million awarded today for new facilities and participation initiatives through the NSW Football Legacy Fund will ensure that women’s football in NSW benefits from NSW hosting games long after the final ball is kicked.”
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison:
“The success of the tournament and the Matildas’ results helped to unlock the potential of women’s and girls’ sport in this country,” Harrison said.
“Programs like the NSW Football Legacy Fund will make sure that everyone involved in the sport, from young girls lacing up their boots for the first time, to experienced players, coaches and officials will benefit from their incredible achievement.
“While there is still considerable work to be done, projects delivered through this program will help level the playing field for women’s sport.”
Hamilton Azzurri club person and Open Football founder Thomas Kane:
“Hamilton Azzurri Football Club is thrilled to receive funding from the NSW government’s Legacy Program,” Kane said.
“The funds will be used to deliver our Open Football Girls Program, which includes specific all-girls holiday clinics and after school programs to CALD and refugee communities in the Newcastle area.”
For further information on the NSW Football Legacy Fund including the full list of recipients HERE.
Successful northern NSW grant projects:
Participation:
- Ballina Football Club: Junior development and goalkeeping programs - $4,183
- Charlestown Football Club: Come and Try Days - $5,780
- Football Far North Coast: Club Respect Program -$14,750
- Football Far North Coast: Referee recruitment, retention, development and coaching program - $9,300
- Football Mid North Coast: All female MiniRoos - $5,429
- Greta Branxton Football Club: Female Football Skill Improvement Program - $9,482
- Hamilton Azzurri Football Club: CALD girls’ football programs - $14,862
- Lochinvar Rovers Football Club: Female uniforms - $13,125
- Macquarie Football: Club training gear program -$14,399
- Maryland Fletcher Football Club: Come and Try Days - $4,270
- Muswellbrook Football Club: Female Participation Program $3,178
- New Lambton Football Club: Female Engagement and Growth Program - $15,000
- New Lambton Football Club: Juniors game day experience enhancement project - $15,000
- Rise Coffs Harbour: Rise Youth Wellbeing Program - $13,850
- Singleton Strikers Football Club: Come and Try Day - $3,730
- Stockton Sharks Football Club: Increasing and retaining female participation - $15,000
- Swansea Football Club: Women’s Participation Program - $8,407
- Taree Football Club: Summer Female Football Program - $10,000
- Valentine Eleebana FC: Supporting Women Program - $5,310
- Wee Waa United Football Club: 7-a-side local regional competition - $13,747.97
Infrastructure:
- Belmont Swansea United Football Club: Irrigation update - $38,000
- City of Newcastle: Elermore Vale Reserve floodlighting upgrade -$44,550
- City of Newcastle: Stevenson Park floodlighting upgrade - $44,550
- Greta Branxton Football Club: Miller Park lighting upgrade - $150,000
- Lochinvar Rovers Football Club: Field irrigation and topsoil upgrade - $55,000
- Maitland City Council: Lawrence Oval lighting upgrade - $129,450
- Northern Storm Football and Sports Club: York St field canteen - $30,000
- Port Stephens Council: Tilligerry United Football Club LED floodlighting upgrade - $60,000
- Port Stephens Council: Raymond Terrace Soccer Club LED floodlighting upgrade - $90,000
