Lighting Strikes for Collaroy Cromer
Collaroy Cromer Strikers Football Club (CCSFC), a thriving football community bursting at the seams with almost 1,800 members, recently took a leap towards improving their facilities and enhancing the football experience for their players. The club’s decision to apply for funding under the NSW Football Legacy Fund – Round 2 was driven by the continuous growth of participation and the need for additional resources to accommodate their expanding and diverse community.
The Strikers were the second largest club in the Manly Warringah Football Association and 8th largest football club in NSW in 2023. The club has exceeded its 2023 participants with still a few weeks until the community football season kicks off for 2024.
Collaroy Cromer Strikers were successful in obtaining $105,000 from the Legacy Fund with the club co-contributing $115,000 of their own funding for new floodlights at Inman Park located within Northern Beaches Secondary College.
“Community access to school fields is a key ingredient to the continued growth of football and all sports in metropolitan Sydney,” commented Football NSW Manager Government Relations, Funding and Infrastructure Daniel Ristic.
“Funding into Inman Park will have a profound impact on both the local area and the participants of Collaroy Cromer Strikers FC. The most significant benefit will be the creation of additional training areas for teams of all ages, particularly females.”
The Northern Beaches LGA has a participation rate of 10% and was the largest football association in NSW in 2023.
The project will see Inman Park lit to 100 lux lighting allowing the Strikers to use the venue in the evening during the winter season for both training and competition games while reducing the wear and tear on existing fields.
“The positive influence extends beyond just addressing logistical challenges; we have witnessed an increase in participant retention, with a notable surge in women and girls joining the football community,” said David Manson, Senior Vice President.
“The funding will play a pivotal role in our ability to grow female membership. The club has experienced a remarkable 65% increase in women participants between the ages of U8-U18 since 2020.”
Beyond the immediate benefits of increased training space and participant engagement, the new infrastructure contributes to maintaining higher field quality throughout the season on the Strikers existing venues.
The lighting installation aligns with the NSW Football Infrastructure Strategy and the key pillar of improving existing venue capacity to maximise the safety and carrying capacity and activation of football fields across NSW.
NSW Football Legacy Fund, Facilities & Grants Officer, James Spanoudakis weighed in on the project.
“Collaroy Cromer Strikers FC have put substantial effort into acquiring Inman Park for use, and now are investing substantial funds of their own to cater for their members.
“The lighting upgrade will be crucial in their ability to increase the fields capacity and ensure all their participants have a safe and enjoyable environment to play football.”
NSW Football Legacy Program
The NSW Football Legacy Program is a $10 million investment from the NSW Government. The program seeks to support female football through new community facilities, participation initiatives, development programs as well as tourism and international engagement.
Click here for more information about NSW Football Legacy Program.
