Local rugby union, soccer and touch football club facilities across Brisbane are among the beneficiaries from the latest round of the Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grants.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the highly-successful grant program is helping to create Brisbane’s future champions by delivering new and improved facilities.
Cr Schrinner said the program had now delivered $4.2 million in funding to 172 clubs.
“Brisbane is the fastest growing capital city in Australia so its important that we invest in our community facilities as they get increasingly utilised,” he said.
“These clubs are critical parts of their suburbs, helping residents stay active and engaged while building a more connected community.
“These grants fund clubs to both develop upgrade plans as well as actually undertake the work necessary to maintain and improve their facility.”
Under this latest grant round, Souths Rugby Union in Yeronga will receive $200,000 towards new unisex change rooms.
“The global success of the Women’s Rugby World Cup and the inclusion of both men and women rugby sevens at the Summer Olympics have helped drive huge interest in the game,” Cr Schrinner said.
“This has driven the need for new and improved facilities at community clubs like Souths.
“Our investment in new unisex change rooms at South Rugby Union will help this club maintain and attract more players of all ages, genders and abilities.”
Souths Rugby Union Club Chairperson, Facilities Upgrade Chris Hourigan said the grant money would deliver upgraded change room facilities to cater for the future growth of their women’s team.
“Women’s rugby is becoming one of the fastest growing sports world wide, and we have some of the best players right here in Brisbane,” Mr Hourigan said.
“This grant from the Council will make sure our facilities cater to all players, as coaches begin to prepare future athletes for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games.”
The Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Football Association will also receive $137,230 to upgrade player substitution boxes to provide a safe playing environment for over 10,000 participants.
New Farm United Junior Soccer Club Inc will also use almost $200,000 to upgrade changerooms.
The latest funding caps off two successful 2022-23 grant rounds, that saw 10 organisations receive $968,356,57 to improve community facilities.
“Helping these clubs improve and develop through initiatives like this are a great way to make our suburbs more attractive and improve participation in sport and other activities,” Cr Schrinner said.
In 2021, the Brisbane Hockey Management Group applied for the Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grants Community Facility category to help replace their playing surface at Brisbane North Hockey Centre in Chermside.
Director Ian Harcla said after 11 years, the artificial surface on field one at Burringbar Park had reached the end of its life.
“If the carpet and shockpad of the surface had not been replaced last year, the field would have been unsafe for Brisbane hockey players,” Mr Harcla said.
“Through the grant, Council’s contribution of $192,500 helped us with the huge cost of replacing the surface, which in turn maintained the club’s revenue stream, while also delivering a water saving cost of $10,000 per year.”
For more information on Council’s Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grants visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au.
Head to www.adrianschrinner.com.au/brisbane-news to keep up to date with what’s happening in Brisbane.
