Grant funding shines a $150,000 light on football in Lochinvar

Lochinvar Rovers Football Club are Maitland’s big winners from the NSW Football Legacy Fund, following a NSW Government Office of Sport announcement of $150,000 in funding to significantly upgrade floodlighting at Lochinvar Sports Complex.

Council submitted a grant application for funding back in October, and success means one of the state’s fastest growing football clubs will be able to provide better facilities to its large player base.

These upgrades will grant more opportunities to use the ground for longer in darker months, increase the quality and accessibility of the fields, and improve the experience for both players and spectators.

Mayor Philip Penfold said the funding would be a big boost for the Lochinvar community and a club that provided fantastic opportunities for girls and women in football.

‘Lochinvar Rovers are one of Maitland’s great community organisations and it’s great to see the NSW Government come to the table to support our community,’ Mayor Penfold said.

‘Improving infrastructure for our local sporting clubs is a priority of this Council, and that’s why this grant application was unanimously supported when it was raised back in October.’

Northern NSW Football Interim CEO Peter Haynes said inclusive facilities help boost participation for women and girls.

'Funding projects such as Lochnivar’s will significantly improve the experience of women and girls within our game which is a huge win for our football community,' Haynes said.

'As we begin the countdown to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, there is already an enormous buzz around football and this funding will assist local clubs to leverage the community’s excitement by running programs that will drive interest and ultimately participation in the game.'

Lochinvar Rovers Football Club President Dan Cherry said it’s essential to give kids opportunities to get involved in community run sport.

‘We’ve experienced massive growth over the last few years, with 45 teams in 2022 alone, and our current facilities are inadequate. This funding ensures we can provide quality facilities and continue to grow,’ Cherry said.

‘Providing opportunities for girls and women in sport is important to us. Our player base is currently 37% female, 10% higher than the local average, and there’s a 50/50 ratio of male to female coaches at the club. You can’t be it if you can’t see it but at Lochinvar, there are so many positive role models that that doesn’t apply anymore.