Football Features in NSW Parliament
On Thursday 25 October 2018, Sonia Hornery, State Member for Wallsend spoke in NSW Parliament about the need for greater investment into football the largest team-based sport in NSW.
Football makes a considerable contribution to the NSW economy each and every year and with further investment in football facilities the NSW economy would see an additional $200 million added to the economy.
Ms Hornery encouraged the Minister for Sport, The Hon. Stuart Ayres “to unlock funding to invest in football facilities across NSW”.
“Football’s appeal as the most popular sport in NSW makes it the ideal vehicle to support the development of healthy and inclusive communities, providing improved social, health, educational and cultural outcomes for all”, stated Ms Hornery.
“The sport is growing, and facilities are not keeping up with demand. Every season 2,500 players are turned away as more Australians become fans of football. More will be turned away, robbing them of the sport’s benefits and keeping money out of our local economies” continued the Member for Wallsend.
Facilities and Advocacy Unit Manager – Government Relations, Funding and Infrastructure, Daniel Ristic said “It’s fantastic to see the world game being discussed in NSW State Parliament. Football is truly a sport that touches so many families across NSW every year”.
Member for Blacktown, Stephen Bali added to the conversation in parliament commenting, “Football has a significant effect on social enhancement, cross-culture inclusion and the economic bonus of over half a billion dollars per annum”.
Member for Camden, Chris Patterson agreed with Sonia’s motion and confirmed that “football games are fantastic for local economies”
Football NSW and Northern NSW Football thanks the Member for Wallsend for shining the light on the benefits that football brings to the state of NSW, whether that be economic, social or health.
Only last week (30 October) Football NSW and Northern NSW Football released an updated Community Impact of Football study which researched the broad economic, health and social benefits of football in the community.
This study is a repeat of the first Community Impact Study commissioned in 2015 and provides a series of findings based on empirical research that establishes a framework for increased advocacy and lobbying in the lead up to the Federal and State elections to be held in 2019.
Since the release of the inaugural Community Impact of Football study in 2015, football’s total overall contribution to NSW communities has increased by 23% – almost five times the rate of inflation.
According to the independent SBP research the total financial impact of football in 2018 has increased to a staggering $520 million. At this current growth rate, SBP has extrapolated that the total community impact of football in NSW will reach $1 billion by 2025.
To read Member for Wallsend’s motion in NSW Parliament click here.
