NSW Club funding

[RugbyReg]

Ok my fine mexican mates, I'm digging for information. First some background.

As you may be aware we have recently had a change of government from a state perspective. Debate the merits of this on your own time, but one of the things the previous Labor Govt did was support grassroots sport through considerable funding. Now this was on various levels including:

- development funding to state sporting bodies (including the likes of the QRU, QRL all the way to the likes of QLD Badmington etc). This is for basic administrative duties but linked to strategic development outcomes. There were also 'special project' funding programs.
- Infrastructure funding. Basically funding for "Major Infrasturcture" and "Minor Infrastructure" funding. So anything from the complete construction, upgrade etc of a facility to just the installation of new lights, irrigation etc.
- Program funding, ie for things such as come and try days, coaching courses, healthy eating education etc.

There is also Community Benefit funding available which was linked to pokies, the casinos etc.

But now the new Government has come in and changed this up, with funding across all these areas dramatically reduced.

My question is, what support does the NSW Govt (state primarily, local 2ndry) provide to community clubs? If a suburban or jnr club (not talking Prem club) was looking to upgrade their lights, or install some, for instance, where would the funding come from? Would it have to be self-funded or all come from local council?

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[Bruce Ross]

RR, as far as I'm aware our political bodies in New South Wales aren't influenced by party politics when it comes to funding rugby clubs, so we don't have a problem with changes of government. We have absolute consistency which is great for budgetting. Both sides, Labor or Liberal/Nationals, adhere to the AFA funding formula - absolutely fuck all.

I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong.
.

 

[RugbyReg]

yeah thanks Bruce. that's what I thought. Which leads to the question, when a club does require upgrades, equipment, support - what do they do? Local council?

 

[SouthernX]

Ok my fine mexican mates, I'm digging for information. First some background.

As you may be aware we have recently had a change of government from a state perspective. Debate the merits of this on your own time, but one of the things the previous Labor Govt did was support grassroots sport through considerable funding. Now this was on various levels including:

RR - Do you have a news article/link you could provide which announces of these cuts?

It's not that I don't believe you, It's just that for something like this to escape my eyes is a little concerning that it might of been an announcement they tried to keep out of the headlines (perhaps I didn't read the paper that day?)

I did see that the club you support was granted one of the state elections finest 11th hour pork barrelling announcements by Campbell Newman whom threw approximately $170k GPS Rugby/Valley Cricket/Ashgrove Athletics way for new change rooms & other ground upgrades.

http://lnp.org.au/local-news/metro-...t-new-facilities-with-campbell-newman-and-lnp

Usually I don't agree with pork barrelling... But GPS Rugby change rooms are right there with Souths & Norths being the crummiest change rooms/showers going around, so visiting teams will be much appreciative of the LNP pledge

 

[RugbyReg]

SX, haven't seen it in the press, although the Govt did talk of such programs in loose policy talk pre-election.

We had a meeting with Sport and Rec late last week and they provided the information they had, however they don't know themselves how and when the programs will be funded.

 

[Lindommer]

Ok my fine Mexican mates,...

Can't say I know much about the structure of Melbourne rugby. Been played there for quite some time, apparently.

 

[Jets]

RR - Do you have a news article/link you could provide which announces of these cuts?

It's not that I don't believe you, It's just that for something like this to escape my eyes is a little concerning that it might of been an announcement they tried to keep out of the headlines (perhaps I didn't read the paper that day?)

I did see that the club you support was granted one of the state elections finest 11th hour pork barrelling announcements by Campbell Newman whom threw approximately $170k GPS Rugby/Valley Cricket/Ashgrove Athletics way for new change rooms & other ground upgrades.

http://lnp.org.au/local-news/metro-...t-new-facilities-with-campbell-newman-and-lnp

Usually I don't agree with pork barrelling... But GPS Rugby change rooms are right there with Souths & Norths being the crummiest change rooms/showers going around, so visiting teams will be much appreciative of the LNP pledge

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...ng-cash-cutbacks/story-e6frep5o-1226360679596

QUEENSLAND sports have been warned to brace for funding and grant cutbacks under a new State Government that says it must deal with reality after being lumbered with huge debts.​

"I wouldn't be being absolutely crystal clear if I didn't say there will be cutbacks (in sport funding) and I can imagine there will be cutbacks right across the board," new Sports Minister Steve Dickson told The Courier-Mail.​

"The dollar side of it will be very, very complex.​

"When you have got a huge debt you cannot just continue to spend, spend, spend. I have to deal with reality."​

With a financial black hole, and the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast to pay for, there could be more like a pot of quicks and than a pot of gold to go around for Queensland sports in the State Budget in September.​

Not only that but Dickson says the Government can't afford to be throwing huge chunks of money at new sporting stadiums, meaning the Central Queensland NRL bid team's hopes for a $140-$180 million stadium in Rockhampton could be a pipedream.​

While the specific areas of the pruning are not established, it is hoped the Queensland Academy of Sport will not be a big funding loser.​

The QAS provides scholarship and financial support to high-profile Queensland Olympians such as London gold medal swimming hopes Stephanie Rice and Emily Seebohm, and world champion hurdler Sally Pearson.​

One of Dickson's priorities is to get more children playing sport and greater funding segments will most likely be tied to this specific cause rather than general handouts.​

The state's peak sporting body Q-Sport says the State Government funds sport to the tune of about $75-$80 million and any cost-cutting would be keenly felt.​

"Any diminution of funding in sport could actually have an impact on the Government's agenda of increasing the participation numbers of sport," Q-Sport chief executive Peter Cummiskey said.​

"Debt reduction certainly seems to be an important thing for this Government.​

"The next question we are keen to hear answers to is what will be cut, and when, and why?"​

Dickson made a commitment to do his best to help sports bodies through some harsh financial times.​

"We will provide the best that we can to keep all these sporting bodies afloat - what I will guarantee is that I will be as fair as I possibly can with the money available," Dickson said.​

"I think my greatest challenge is dragging children out from behind computers. If that's what I achieve, I will be really pleased."​

​

 

[SouthernX]

Thanks JETS..

Hopefully the stadium in Rockhampton is cut and they save 140-180 million dollars that could be otherwise spent on children and grassroots sports.

 

[Jets]

The latest edition of Sportswatch from Qsport says sport worth estimated $7.9 billion to Queensland economy. You can read more at the link below. It makes for some interesting reading when you see how they work out this figure.

http://www.qsport.org.au/publications/e183827 sportswatch autumn.pdf

 

[Tom Ando]

For Club upgrades it mainly comes through State Govt. But it has to be approved and you have to put forward a bloody good case. I know that my club tried to get a grant for our clubhouse but we haven't got it for like 5 years. However if you ever get the chance to see Kiama's Rugby club, it looks like an RSL. Ours looks like a brick shithouse