Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby and Wakehurst MP Michael Regan have united with five other NSW Independents and called for a Grassroots Sports Facilities Fund with an annual $60 million commitment from the NSW Government.
The group of regional and metropolitan MPs said grants of up to $2 million should be available to all 93 electorates across NSW, with a focus on upgrading older facilities and prioritising the construction of female changerooms.
Ms Scruby said that facilities 60 years old in Pittwater had been ‘neglected and left to rot for decades – even though community sport is booming, and female participation is growing exponentially.’
“For decades, grassroots and community sports have missed out while governments have splashed billions on elite sporting stadiums. It’s 2026, yet women and girls playing community sport are having to get changed behind bushes, in cars and in the rain before they step out onto the field. It’s simply not good enough,” Ms Scruby said.
“This is investment the community is calling for. I’ve even had a letter written to me from a boy in a local rugby union club asking for female changerooms for the girls. With councils crying poor and preventing clubs doing their own upgrades, state government needs to get the ball rolling.”
Hamish McLean, President of Mona Vale Raiders Rugby League Club, said over 200 women and girls were playing across 14 teams at the club without adequate facilities.
“These players are getting changed in cars on the street which is far from satisfactory. They deserve legitimate care and protection. We’ve been trying to get the facilities at Newport Oval upgraded since 2016,” Mr McLean said.
“The club is prepared to contribute financially, but after years of delays, we still don’t have a plan that meets the basic needs of our players. Crucially, we have no official direction from (Northern Beaches) Council for us to work towards a conclusive outcome,” he said.
The NSW Office of Sport committed up to $30 million to the Level the Playing Field Program in 2023 to provide new or upgraded sports facilities, amenities and sporting fields, with upgraded lighting to enable more girls and women to play safely. Projects were to be completed by 30 September 2026.
“We strongly and completely support Jacqui’s push for a renewed Level the Playing Field program,” Mr McLean said.
“Grassroots clubs are doing everything they can to grow women’s sport within the community, but we need governments and councils to match that effort with facilities that are fit for purpose.”
The MPs said the government should also commit to repurposing demountables for local club use. They say the funds could be allocated immediately from the unallocated funding announced in the NSW Budget.
Mr Regan said he was working with Education Infrastructure to make over 600 demountables available for use as change rooms, toilets, storage, meeting rooms and canteens.
“I have local clubs screaming for help with facilities for women and girls in particular. This is a simple and cost-effective way to get facilities that are desperately needed all across the state, and a great re-use of these demountables,” Mr Regan said.
The MPs said the fund could be central to securing their support in the event of another hung parliament at the March 2027 NSW state election.
“With polls showing another minority government on the cards after the March 2027 NSW election, equitable investment in local sporting facilities for our communities could be a deciding factor,” Ms Scruby said.
The call has been backed by a number of senior sporting administrators representing Sport NSW, NSW Rugby and Cricket NSW.