Savings on Stadiums must be invested in the Suburbs, says Sport NSW

Joseph La Posta, Chairperson of Sport NSW, the peak body for sport in the state, today said that the $500 million saving announced by the State Government on stadium spending should be reallocated in full into grass roots sporting infrastructure in the suburbs. 

“The NSW Premier has today said that she runs a Government that listens. There has been a great deal of public discussion in recent weeks around the incredible impact that could be made to suburban sporting infrastructure if some of the stadium money was diverted to community facilities. That opportunity now exists,” said Mr La Posta. 

“Sport NSW recognises the benefits associated with world class sporting stadiums, but to ensure NSW athletes are performing in those stadiums we must make an investment into desperately needed community sporting infrastructure. 

“The Government recently announced $200 million worth of funding for sporting facilities in regional NSW. Sport NSW are obviously extremely appreciative of this, however urgent funding is needed in Greater Sydney, where many of our clubs and associations are full and turning away participants due to facility constraints,” said Mr La Posta. 

“The opportunity has been created today to ensure that the government invests $500 million now into the community facility needs of both male and female participants, at all levels, and across all codes of sport.” 

Sport NSW advocates that investment in sport should be considered as important as investment in health and education. According to the Government the stadium investment is less than 1% of the $200 billion being invested into health and education over the next five years. Directing the $500 million saving towards significantly improved community sporting opportunities would be a huge step in terms of preventative health. 

“Investing in sport is making a down payment on lower health costs into the future,” Mr La Posta continued. “Reducing childhood obesity is a priority of the NSW Premier and physical literacy through sport is a key contributor to addressing obesity levels and chronic illnesses brought about by sedentary lifestyles.” 
  
Further information: Darren Simpson, Chief Executive Officer – Sport NSW 
M: 0407 926 421         E: Darren.simpson@sportnsw.com.au