Shellharbour City Council will today host a meeting between athletes, club members and the NSW Office of Sport to discuss potential upgrades to sports facilities.
The Shellharbour Sportsfield User Meeting will be held Wednesday 4 September at 5.30pm. The Office of Sport will outline how the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions are firmly in the NSW Office of Sports' plans for infrastructure improvements.
Following regular updates from Council staff on current projects, bookings and future planning, NSW Office for Sports' Keith Wallace will discuss the recent NSW Government Future Needs of Sports Infrastructure Study (FNOSIS) of Sydney, highlighting participation rates, facilities available and predictions for future growth.
After completing the Sydney study last year, the NSW Office of Sport recently started studies for both the Hunter and Illawarra/Shoalhaven regions. The purpose of the study, which includes setting up a user-friendly planning portal, is to ensure that government funding is invested based on the projections of each sport's participation rates over the next 20 years, and current player to field ratios.
One of the solutions being explored is the development of adaptable facilities that can be used across numerous sporting codes. There will also be an emphasis on the importance of sporting clubs preparing strategic plans.
Shellharbour City Mayor Marianne Saliba welcomed the visit from the NSW Office of Sport and said she was optimistic about plans to fund sporting infrastructure in the city.
"I am keen to learn what type of infrastructure is being considered and how it would be funded. Any assistance Council could secure would be good for our community," Cr Saliba said.
"Shellharbour City punches above its weight when it comes to producing great sports stars from this area. Shellharbour, along with other councils in our region, look forward to applying for funding when finances become available.
"I am particularly excited about the positive effect extra funding would have on female participation in organised sport. Unprecedented numbers of girls and women are now participating in traditionally male sports such as AFL, cricket and soccer.
"More money for upgraded and additional sports infrastructure means we would be better placed to provide everyone with the opportunity to participate in their chosen sport," Cr Saliba said.
