TEN groups cross the Northern Tablelands will share in $92,219 awarded to them under the state government’s sport and recreation program.
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Nationals MP Adam Marshall announced the grant funds yesterday saying the groups ranged from showground, hall and recreational ground trusts to sporting clubs and councils.
One of the biggest winners is Ashford Rugby League Club which receives $21,000 to build spectator seating at the Ashford Sports Ground and assist with junior league development.
Mr Marshall met with club president Mick Lewis to deliver the good news and discuss future plans to grow rugby league in Ashford.
“The Ashford Rugby League Club has incredible support and boasts 70 male, 30 female and 50 junior members. For a town of 570, that’s impressive,” he said.
“The club will use half the funding to build mobile seating for the sports ground, which is also used for school athletics carnivals and by the cricket club.”
Mr Lewis said the funding was very welcome and thanked Mr Marshall for his support.
“The participation grant will go towards our under 14s junior league tag team – it will help pay their registration costs and allow us to buy some gear for them,” he said.
“We will be buying mobile seating kits so they can be placed anywhere on the grounds to suit the game that’s being played on that day.
“For a small town we have a huge participation rate and lots of spectators so this seating will be a big improvement for the grounds.”
Under the funding Inverell Shire Council and the Inverell Golf Club have secured almost $14,000 from the program with golf club president Joe Houlihan receiving news they will get $5600 to run a Seniors on the Green program which aims to get more local senior citizens active and onto the course.
Inverell Shire Council will use its grant of $8250 to revamp the cricket pitch at Cameron Park.
Glen Innes Showground Trust has received a $21,000 grant to build a new set of disabled toilets and showers.
“This funding will allow the trust to further enhance the showground’s appeal to travellers and campers and improve access to amenities during large events, such as the Celtic Festival and the annual show,” Mr Marshall said.
“While day-to-day maintenance expenses of the showground are covered by money raised at the show and various community events, major improvements can only occur when the government gets involved and offers some financial support.”
Other groups to share in funding were the Nullamanna Hall and Recreation Ground Trust, Pinkett Recreation Ground Trust, Armidale Rowing Club, Drake Progress Association and Guyra Shire Council, which will get $2000 to start off a minor league competition in Tingha.