Locally owned and independent
July 14, 2022
The Northern Rivers Times
SPORTS NEWS 75
$1.1M HELPS DELIVER SPORTZ CENTRAL’S BIG UPGRADE Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said NSW Government funding of $1.1 million is helping deliver a significant upgrade at the popular sports facility, Sportz Central. Mr Singh congratulates Coffs Harbour City Council on its successful application under the Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund which will help bring this exciting community project to fruition. “This funding is fantastic news for our city because it will provide even more opportunities for people to play sport and be active,” Mr Singh said. “The Council’s Sportz Central upgrade and expansion project will provide more modern, inclusive and accessible facilities for the enjoyment of all.” Coffs Harbour
City Council Mayor Councillor Paul Amos said the NSW Government funding news for Sportz Central puts another feather in our sporting infrastructure cap. “Sportz Central is Coffs Harbour’s only
major indoor sporting and entertainment facility in the city area,” Cr Amos said. “The multi-purpose nature of the facility provides so many opportunities for our kids and their love of sport all year round.
“Council is extremely pleased with this result as we can now deliver a new basketball indoor court, upgraded skate park and cricket nets for the community.” The $7.4m project also includes femalefriendly amenities,
improved natural lighting, refurbishments, improved building and sub-floor ventilation, solar power and repainting the building exterior. The $1.1m in NSW Government funds announced today for the upgrade are in addition to the previously announced $6.3m in Federal funding. Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan welcomed the news of additional funding from State Government partners to ensure this important project came to fruition. “The original $6.3 million of Federal funding was allocated by the Coalition Government back in 2019, and it’s been a tricky process over the last few years with COVID-19 and other factors affecting
progress, so to see this additional funding secured and the project on track to be delivered for the people of Coffs Harbour is wonderful news,” Mr Conaghan said. “The Coffs Coast will now have a world-class basketball facility on top of the newly completed netball courts at Vost Park and the recent improvements to the C.ex Stadium. The region’s credentials as a haven for State and National sporting competitions are expanding and I can’t wait to see the knock-on effect not just for local sporting groups but also our local businesses. “Continual collaboration between all levels of Government has once again delivered for our region.”
SPORTING SECTOR IMPROVING WOMEN’S SAFETY IN NSW The NSW Government has today hosted a Respect Roundtable in Sydney’s west to discuss key initiatives around women’s safety and the prevention of domestic and sexual violence with sporting organisations. Leaders from major sporting codes across New South Wales met to exchange ideas on how the NSW Government and the sporting sector
can work together to create an environment of respect, consent and safety for women on and off the playing field. Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said today’s event built on existing initiatives and established a consistent understanding among the codes on outstanding
issues to be addressed. “Sport brings communities together. Today we heard how our sporting codes are supporting initiatives to address safety and respect,” Mrs Ward said. “There have been some really positive developments in our sporting sector, with more professional women’s teams emerging and a greater
representation of women in leadership roles. “Today demonstrates the important role sport can play to educate and advocate respectful behaviour to the broader public.” The panel discussion was hosted by rugby tragic Kerry Chikarovski AM and included leading figures from a number of sports, including Football,
Rugby Union, AFL, Basketball and NRL. Each code gave a unique perspective but unified voice on the priorities for Women’s Safety both on and off the field. Stephanie Brantz from Football NSW said today’s Roundtable has given Sports a platform to continue the conversation on how to improve women’s safety outcomes across society.
“Football NSW is delighted to be involved in this discussion recognising how important it is to have leaders of sporting organisations who are focused on creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone, but especially women,” Mrs Brantz said.
WORLD FIRST FOR GREYHOUND WELFARE A world first whole of life e-tracking system to monitor the location and welfare of all greyhounds registered in NSW is now underway Minister for Racing Kevin Anderson said the new technology will allow the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC) to track and protect racing greyhounds throughout their careers and into retirement. “The NSW Government allocated
$3.6 million for this revolutionary new technology that puts animal welfare at the heart of the greyhound racing industry,” Mr Anderson said. “This technology will mean every greyhound registered in NSW is able to be monitored and its whereabouts recorded and registered in real time, at every stage of the greyhound’s life.” GWIC CEO Steve Griffin said greyhounds will be tracked through
their ‘contact’ with GWIC. If a greyhound has had no contact with GWIC throughout the year, the greyhound’s owner will be sent a request to have the greyhound sighted and scanned. “Racing greyhounds will need to have contact with GWIC at least every 6 months, and pre-racing or retired greyhounds every 12 months,” Mr Griffin said. “There will be more
than 40 locations across the state where greyhounds can be scanned and checked in. Many of these touch points are greyhound racing clubs, major breeder, trainer or educator properties, and industry veterinarians and rehoming organisations. “Staff will also be able to scan dogs at the track or during kennel inspections to make the process easy for participants.”
Greyhound Racing NSW Chief Executive Officer Tony Mestrov welcomed the announcement. “This is a significant milestone and I congratulate the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) for their development and implementation of the e-Tracking system, a world-first in welfare,” Mr Mestrov said. “As a collective industry, we have taken
major steps in reform since 2017, and welfare is now at the forefront of everything we do at GRNSW, as evidenced by our rehoming programs, injury rebate schemes, track safety upgrades , and the overall care of our animals. “The e-Tracking system is another great step in not only ensuring the welfare of all greyhounds in the NSW industry.”
