Lighting the way in Grafton and South Grafton

Emma Pritchard

After spending upwards of $20000 per year on electricity, Vice President of the Grafton Hockey Association Lyn Newby welcomed the announcement made last week by visiting NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole.

Mr Toole revealed the Grafton Hockey Complex will receive $335000 through the NSW Nationals in Government’s $25 million Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Program for LED lighting upgrades on both synthetic fields at the Fisher Park premises in Grafton, allowing players better access to the location for night-time sessions and reducing running costs of the local organisation.

Describing the announcement as fantastic news, Ms Newby said the club will be able to increase the number of night games they host, benefiting local and visiting players, and welcoming more people to the Clarence Valley, along with reducing running costs and optimising finances.

“It also helps us to be more sustainable in our maintenance,” she explained.

“The lights we currently have on the fields, their lifespan ranges from between 5 and 10 years, and these new lights will give us 40 plus years, which will really help our facility, especially given the continuously increasing interest we’re seeing in the sport locally.

“It means a lot to us to have the best possible facilities to support that growth and we’re very happy to receive the funds.”

Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis said it is terrific to invest in local sporting infrastructure.

“We know hockey is a really big sport in Grafton,” he said.

“By looking at the facilities which are already in place here and the calibre of players who have come from here, we know what the sport means to the community and its terrific to support that interest through these funds.”

The Deputy Premier also announced the South Grafton Rugby Club’s grounds in Hay Street will also receive funding with $160000 to go towards lighting and women’s facility upgrades on site.

Representatives of the South Grafton Rugby Club toss the ball around with NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole, alongside Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis and Nationals candidate for Clarence Richie Williamson after they received a $160000 grant to upgrade lighting and facilities for women. Image: Emma Pritchard

With more women actively pursuing an interest in the sport, First Grade Coach Gary Powell said the funding is a positive investment for the future.

“We don’t just want more people, including women, to become involved with the sport, we want them to also have access to the facilities they require when playing the sport,” he said.

Work is expected to be completed at both locations within the next 12 months.