Sport NSW calls for stadium savings to be invested in the suburbs

Joseph La Posta, Chairperson of peak body Sport NSW, has called for the $500 million saving on stadium spending announced by the NSW Government to be reallocated in full into grass roots sporting infrastructure in the suburbs.

Commenting after yesterdays’ s policy change on the redevelopment of ANZ Stadium, La Posta stated “the NSW Premier has ...  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.

“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.

“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 NSW Government the stadium investment is less than 1% of the $200 billion being invested into health and education over the next five years so directing the $500 million saving towards significantly improved community sporting opportunities would be a huge step in terms of preventative health.

La Posta added “investing in sport is making a down payment on lower health costs into the future.

“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.” 

Image courtesy of Sport NSW.

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