State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, is calling on the State Government to work closely with local Councils to protect the investments being made in local sporting facilities.
Yesterday, the home ground of Shortland Junior Football Club, Tuxford Park, was destroyed by a motorbike rider. Last year the Club received an upgrade following a section 94 contribution by Aurizon.
The upgrade to the sporting facilities at Tuxford Park included the installation of new lighting, stands, footpaths and a new playing field. The Club now faces a battle to be able to hold any games at their home ground in the near future due to the damage that has been done.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“The Shortland Football Club is a small family club that does a great job to provide facilities for the surrounding community to play soccer on.”
“Last year, they were the recipients of a $260,000 upgrade to their facilities which will help the Club to grow.”
“But yesterday, the playing fields were ripped up by a senseless act of vandalism, with a motorbike rider destroying all the playing fields only days before the first home game of the season.”
“Unfortunately for the Club, this is not the first time they have had their fields damaged. In 2016, on the eve of the Club hosting a round of final matches, a similar incident occurred.”
“Last year, more than $417 million was contributed to the economy through local sporting organisations. Local Councils made significant investments in sporting facilities but cannot bear the total cost alone.”
“I am calling on the State Government to look at how it can assist Councils to improve and protect the investments being made in local sporting facilities so we don’t see another incident like this.”
“There is a great economic potential that can be unlocked by increasing investment in our local sporting facilities.”