Southern Tablelands Football Association (STFA) has been successful in its application to the NSW Government’s “Level the Playing Field” program.
The Football Club has secured $872,744 to install new LED sports lights on fields 1 and 2 at the Cookbundoon home ground. Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman made the public announcement at Cookbundoon on Friday.
“STFA has been relentless in pursuing funding to provide upgrades to the facilities, successfully completing several infrastructure upgrades, and hosting many popular programs to promote participation over the past several years.
“The installation of lights on Fields 1 and 2, located next to the new pavilion facilities, will enable the STFA to increase access and draw higher level competition.” Mrs Tuckerman said.
STFA President Robert Scott thanked the NSW Government for the funding.
“Extending our hours – particularly in winter – will benefit all players, coaches, volunteers, spectators and visitors of all ages. It will mean our facilities are safer and we have more hours on the fields to encourage female participation.
“New lights will allow for flexible evening training hours, higher level football competitions and greater ability to host larger regional tournaments,” Mr Scott said.
STFA Women’s Coordinator Kayla Webb said that there are 76 boys and men’s teams, 23 mixed teams and 33 girls and women’s teams.
“The recent success and popularity of the Matilda’s in the World Cup has certainly increased female interest in football, and as an association, we hope to leverage this interest by providing more opportunities for women and girls to join the association.
“Our under 8 Girls competition has two more teams than last year. We also have one additional team for each of the under 10 girls, under 12 girls and all age Women’s competitions.
“The new lighting will mean that we will not be as reliant on daylight, so we won’t be as limited in time and space,” Ms Webb said.
Goulburn Mulwaree Council Deputy Mayor Steve Ruddell congratulated STFA on their grant success, with Council staff providing assistance in their application.
“Council staff played a key role in supporting the application process by obtaining landowner consent and appointing a Project Manager for construction oversight.
“LED lighting means a safer and brighter facility, it will also reduce maintenance costs by replacing the old and dilapidated lighting,” said Deputy Mayor Steven Ruddell
The NSW Government has committed up to $30 million to the Level the Playing Field Program towards sport facilities by providing new or upgrading existing facilities, amenities and fields.
Construction is expected to commence before 30 September 2024 and be completed by 30 September 2026. A total of 212 applications were submitted for consideration, 26 were successful.
WENDY TUCKERMAN 