SPORTING clubs, including Bulli and Districts Tennis Association and Woonona Soccer Club, have been provided almost $400,000 by Wollongong City Council under its annual Sports Grant Program.

The grants will fund infrastructure projects for a variety of sport clubs, including new floodlights, sports field drainage, renewal of existing facilities and more.

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• Bulli and District Tennis Association: Renewal of the existing synthetic grass court surface – $30,000
• Balgownie Junior Football Club: Installation of floodlights at Judy Masters Football Field – $100,000
• Woonona Football Club: Replacement of fencing on sportsfield – $45,000
• Corrimal Cougars Rugby League: Sportsfield drainage and gender neutral changeroom enhancements – $50,000
• North Dalton Park Regional Sports Centre: Renewal of floodlighting Luminars – $100,000
• Cricket NSW / Cricket Illawarra: Replacement and renewal of multiple synthetic wickets across the LGA – $35,000
• Wollongong District Cricket Club: Installation of a new storage building – $5,658
• Illawarra Sports Stadium: Renewal of the scoreboard and shot clocks – $25,000
• Total: $390,658

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Since 2008, the Council program has offered opportunities for clubs and associations to apply for a grant from $5,000 up to $100,000 for small and medium-sized infrastructure projects. It invites projects that help increase opportunities for participation and sports ground capacity, improve equality and accessibility, as well as supporting emerging sports and independent recreational pursuits.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said the program provides financial assistance to improve public spaces where people connect and play.

“Wollongong is a sport-crazed city and it’s important to us that we can help invest and grow our local grassroots clubs and associations,” Cr Brown said.

“Most are run by volunteers, which means financial aid goes a long a way. From cricket to tennis, football to rugby league, the successful applicants reflect some of the diverse sports and community hubs that are much-loved by our residents.

“This grant program recognises the role facilities play and how people experience and access their local sports. Whether its juniors or seniors, they make a difference, and we want to make sure it’s a positive one.”

For 2025, over $1.9M in funding was requested across 37 eligible applications. Council also held information sessions to help clubs and associations understand the application process and apply.

Each application was assessed by the Sports and Facilities Reference Group (SFRG). They evaluated and ranked against a criterion that considers their strategic alignment, community impact and deliverability.

The SFRG is made up of four city councillors and representatives from Sport and Recreation Communities NSW, Illawarra Academy of Sport and key local sports bodies. Council officers attend the meetings and support SFRG as required, but do not vote.

“We received a lot of interest for this grant program, and each application was evaluated in-depth,” Cr Brown said.

“We also wanted to ensure that the successful applicants aligned with our existing strategies like our Sportsgrounds and Sporting Facilities Strategy. We’ll continue to provide support for our growing sporting community and fostering the needs of our active city.”

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