MEDIA RELEASE
HAY WELCOMES LABORS COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT NRL COMMUNITY BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM
19 March 2015
Member for Wollongong Noreen Hay MP today welcomed the Foley Labor Government’s commitment to fund up to $55 million to help establish 10 high-performance, community-based Centres of Excellence linked to National Rugby League (NRL) clubs across NSW.
Ms Hay said these facilities will enable individual clubs to double the size of their community programs, increasing social, educational, health, cultural and sporting opportunities.
“Labor’s $55 million reservation will be a co-investment with the NRL and its clubs, local government and the private sector. The total cost to deliver 10 Centres of Excellence across NSW is $180 million, which includes the St George Illawarra Dragons Club,” Ms Hay said.
“The facilities will be squarely designed around strengthening links between clubs and local areas – delivering community-based amenities that aren’t just for the exclusive use of the rugby league clubs,” she said.
“Each project will be subject to a business case and thorough assessment before government funding is approved. The facilities must be able to demonstrate benefits to the local community beyond sport.
Ms Hay said she was aware of the outstanding community programs the St George Illawarra Dragons already had in place and praised them on their continuing engagement with the local community particularly local schools and said they would greatly benefit from this extra funding.
“The Centres of Excellences will be true community facilities across the state with a variety of amenities from community classrooms, playing fields, meeting spaces and lecture theatres to wellness centres, aquatic and leisure centres, training facilities, visual arts spaces and change rooms,” Ms Hay said.
“NSW is the traditional heartland of rugby league. Labor’s investment will see fantastic facilities built for the benefit of the whole community, and will help support a range of youth, Indigenous, education and health programs currently administered by rugby league clubs.
“The benefits of sport to our young people is widely known and Labor is pleased to support the great work the game is doing in local communities.
“NRL teams form an integral part of our community – and these facilities across the state will help rugby league clubs roll-out community programs, she said”
Media Contact:Noreen Hay MP0410 753 171