There’s good news on the way for local hockey stars ahead of this season with Tamworth Hockey Association winning two Stronger Country Communities Fund grants in the latest round of funding.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the $118,648 and $141,475 grants would allow the organisation to install a new covered outdoor area, install drinking fountains, and upgrade the canteen.

“Hockey is one of the most popular sports in Tamworth and why wouldn’t it be with Tamworth being home to some of the best facilities regional Australia has to offer,” Mr Anderson said.

“The NSW Nationals in Government invested $7.2 million in the $9.6 million upgrade a few years ago because we saw the economic and social benefits those facilities would bring to our city.

“Throughout the pandemic, hockey tournaments kept the tills of local businesses ticking over with thousands of visitors making their way to Tamworth to compete in regional and state significant tournaments and carnivals.

“Now Tamworth Hockey Association are building on those facilities with $260,103 in grant funding for a new covered outdoor area, more drinking fountains, and renovated canteen facilities.

“These new additions will help attract more tournaments to Tamworth like the Open Men’s State Championships which brought hundreds of visitors to town in June last year.”

Tamworth Hockey Association President Ross Briggs outlined the upgrades the association would be undertaking with the funding.

“We’re going to upgrade our canteen, making it more user friendly for our volunteers and make it a lot easier for when we host events throughout the year,” Mr Briggs said.

“We’ll also put in a big covered area between fields two and three, which will make spectator comfort a lot better.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said in the past five years the Stronger Country Communities Fund had delivered more than 2000 grassroots projects, benefitting every Local Government Area in regional NSW.

“We all know how important it is for communities to have great places to come together to build social connections and boost their wellbeing through sport or community events,” Mr Toole said. 

“It’s the little things that make a big difference to the way we all work, live, play and do business, and the NSW Liberals and Nationals in Government are delivering the projects that make a difference to everyday life right across regional NSW, from Byron Bay to Bega to Broken Hill.”

Round Five of the Stronger Country Communities Fund will support local community and sporting infrastructure projects, street beautification, public programs and events that display the best of local character and community spirit.

The Stronger Country Communities Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $3.3 billion Regional Growth Fund, designed to support growing regional centres, activate local economies, and improve services and community infrastructure in the regions.

For more information, visit: nsw.gov.au/sccf