Program Function: The NSW Government has committed up to $30 million to the Level the Playing Field Program (the Program).
The Program investment will revive sport facilities by providing new or upgrading existing sport facilities, amenities and sporting fields. Funding will also support the provision of new and upgraded lighting that will enable more women and girls to train and compete in sport in a safe and inclusive environment.
Program Term: Applications opened on 16 October 2023, closed on 30 November 2023 and grants were announced in May 2024. Construction should commence by 30 September 2024 with construction completed by 30 September 2026.
Applicants: A total of 212 applications were submitted for consideration, 26 of which were successful. The total amount awarded through the Level the Playing Field Program 2023-24 is $28,601,881 for projects with a total value including co-contributions of $59,063,718.
Source Agency: The NSW Office of Sport administered the Program on behalf of the NSW Government. Final decisions on the award of funding were made by the Minister for Sport.
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| Organisation Name | Recipient location | Project Title | Project Location LGA | Project Description | Funding amount |
| All Saints Hunters Hill Soccer Club Incorporated | Victoria Rd Gladesville NSW 2111 | Gladesville Reserve Multi-Sport Community Facility | Ryde City Council | The project is the critical development of a Multi-Sport Community Facility, designed to ensure equitable access for women and girls, enhance their sporting experiences, and boost facility usage across diverse communities, while embedding environmental sustainability and climate resilience. | $1,905,678 |
| Bathurst Giants Australian Rules Football Club | 189A Browning St Bathurst NSW 2795 | George Park 1 Bathurst Lighting Project | Bathurst Regional Council | The project will see the installation of 4 new light towers and associated sports lighting at George Park 1 in Bathurst. The project will enable the Bathurst GIANTS Australian Football teams (both junior and senior) to train on their home field and increase the days and times available for training. | $296,420 |
| Bellingen Shire Council | 33 Hyde St Bellingen NSW 2454 | Connell Park Precinct Lighting | Bellingen Shire Council | Install smart field lighting systems at Connell Park to enable extended hours for use by Netball, Soccer, NRL, Cricket and AFL to improve female participation. Works include installing access lighting between the forthcoming amenity building and the parking area to create safety for night users, and three new netball courts. | $594,231 |
| Bowral Dressage Club Inc | 460 Kangaloon Road Bowral New South Wales 2576 | Bowral Dressage Community Clubhouse | Wingecarribee Shire Council | Bowral Dressage Club is applying to build a community clubhouse that will benefit the large percentage of women and girls who ride at our events. Due to the nature of its design it will also benefit para equestrian riders and the broader Southern Highlands community in times of bushfire emergency. | $1,119,041 |
| Cessnock City Council | 62-78 Vincent St Cessnock NSW 2325 | Kurri Kurri Netball Facility | Cessnock City Council | The construction of of the new Kurri Kurri Netball Facility will feature 12 new plexipave surfaced netball courts, a new amenity building, carparks, lighting, landscaping and park furniture. The project will ensure women and girls have equitable access to facilities and support increased participation in sport and recreation activities. | $1,898,400 |
| City Of Newcastle | 12 Stewart Ave Newcastle West NSW 2302 | Tarro Reserve Amenities Upgrade | Newcastle City Council | The project will include the construction of a new amenities building . The new amenities building will include female friendly change rooms, accessible toilet, canteen, referees room and storage. | $825,000 |
| City Of Newcastle | 12 Stewart Ave Newcastle West NSW 2302 | Johnson Park New Amenities and Lighting | Newcastle City Council | The project will include the construction of a new amenities building and new LED floodlighting. The new amenities building will include female friendly change rooms, accessible toilet, canteen, referees room and storage. The project will upgrade an underutilised ground to be used by football clubs for games and training. | $905,000 |
| Council Of The City Of Shellharbour | 76 Cygnet Ave NSW 2529 | Shell Cove Sport and Recreation Facility | Shellharbour City Council | New sporting complex situated within the recently developed Shell Cove Harbour precinct that will accommodate a range of sports and also include amenities, parking, access and landscaping. This facility is being designed to meet the current and future needs of female participants by creating an equitable, safe and inclusive space. | $2,000,000 |
| Football NSW | 235 Meurants Ln Glenwood NSW 2768 | Futsal Stadium Amenity, Lighting, Cooling and Solar Modernisation | Blacktown City Council | The Indoor Futsal Stadium project aims to benefit participants of all ages and genders, including individuals with disabilities, by enhancing facilities with improved lighting, cooling, and an accessible changeroom facility. Anticipated outcomes include increased utilisation, enhanced participation opportunities, an inclusive environment, sustainable practices, and heightened community engagement. | $317,002 |
| Football NSW | 235 Meurants Ln Glenwood NSW 2768 | New Drainage and Fencing Installation | Blacktown City Council | FNSW is seeking funding for essential upgrades at Valentine Sports Park, including drainage installation and perimeter fencing for Fields 4 and 5. This project aims to enhance playing conditions, ensuring year-round usability, safety, and accessibility. The upgrades will benefit diverse community groups, promoting active lifestyles and fostering inclusivity in sports. | $283,045 |
| Ganmain Grong Grong Matong Football Club Inc | 82 Canola Way Ganmain NSW 2702 | Inclusive, accessible, sporting facility amenities providing a well lit, safe, welcoming and dignified environment for regional women and girls to participate in chosen sporting pursuits. | Coolamon Shire Council | Inclusive, accessible, facilities being women and girls change rooms,parents room,toilets and showers at the Ganmain local sports grounds for the riverina region allowing all community users and visitors equitable participation, recreation, training, competition, flexible scheduling opportunities in their sporting pursuits.New lighting provides well lit, safe, and secure welcoming sports ground. | $1,736,018 |
| Illawarra Stingrays Fc Incorporated | 6 Royal Cres Woonona NSW 2517 | Lakelands Oval, Dapto: Football Facility Upgrade | Wollongong City Council | The proposal involves upgrades to two football fields, associated lighting, and replacement of an old amenities building beyond its useful life with a larger new universal-access facility. The facility will provide increased participation and use by three clubs: from grass roots to an all-female regional representative club at state level. | $2,000,000 |
| Macquarie United Sub Junior Rugby League Football Club | 281A Awaba Road Toronto 2283 | Upgrade drainage of playing fields at Keith Barry Oval. | Lake Macquarie City Council | Upgrade drainage of playing fields at Keith Barry Oval for increased training and competition utilization for women and girls. Eliminate muddy, wet and unsafe hollows, improve year round grass coverage and achieve a naturally well-drained site to form a sound basis for a playing surface for increased female participation demands. | $242,000 |
| Nepean Hockey Association Incorporated | 56 Second Ave Kingswood NSW 2747 | Upgrade Existing Sports Field Lights at the Western Sydney Hockey Centre (WSU Kingswood) | Penrith City Council | Upgrading of existing field floodlighting to a compliant 500lux lighting design - involving the replacement of the existing metal halide lights with energy efficient dimmable LED (1500w) Floodlights to service 2 x synthetic hockey fields at Nepean Hockey Association Hockey Centre. Improved social and economic benefits. | $485,880 |
| New South Wales Basketball Association | 11-21 Underwood Rd Homebush NSW 2140 | Bathurst Indoor Sport Stadium - Sport for all Upgrade | Bathurst Regional Council | The project will include upgrading the current ageing and non-conforming playing surface to meet contemporary standards and improve user experience. The upgrade will also broaden the activities and programs provided and underpin the ongoing benefits of the venue. Supporting amenity facilities will be upgraded to ensure equitable access. | $1,151,773 |
| Newcastle City Junior Afl Club | Crn Parry St Union St Cooks Hill NSW 2309 | Lighting Upgrade Pat Jordan Oval | Newcastle City Council | Installation of new poles and 100lux LED lighting to meet standards for training and match play and create a safer more welcoming environment for all but particularly for females who train at this ground. It will permit increased training and competition opportunities and cater to the growing female participant demand. | $239,760 |
| North Wagga Australian Football Netball Club Incorporated | McPherson Oval Cnr William and Frederick Street North Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 | Female Changerooms & Amenities | Wagga Wagga City Council | Installation of multiuse female changerooms, showers and amenities for players, officials and supporters. | $739,000 |
| Port Stephens Council | 116 Adelaide St Raymond Terrace NSW 2324 | Don Waring Oval expansion and sports walk- Improving safety and equitable access at Tomaree Sports Complex | Port Stephens Council | This project involves expanding a sporting oval at Tomaree Sports Complex into a multi-code playing and event surface with floodlighting; and construction of a safe 'sports walk'. Outcomes: - Equitable access to quality multi-code playing surfaces; - Increased females participation at Tomaree Sports Complex; - Enhanced accessibility, safety and amenity. | $2,000,000 |
| Randwick City Council | 30 Frances St Randwick NSW 2031 | Heffron Park Female Amenities | Randwick City Council | The Heffron Park Female Amenities Project is designed to enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of women sport and recreation facilities, providing a safe and welcoming environment for women and girls to train and compete. Please refer to the Project Definition and Delivery Plan (PDDP) for more information. | $1,497,164 |
| Shoalhaven City Council* | 36 Bridge Rd, Nowra, NSW, 2541 | Francis Ryan Amenities Upgrade | Shoalhaven City Council | The upgrade of amenities at Francis Ryan Reserve - to be named the Bob Proudfoot Pavilion - includes a new single-story amenities facility, equipped with accessible and ambulant public amenities, change rooms, storage rooms, and a fitness space. This project will enable sports events, community gatherings, and fitness activities. | $2,000,000 |
| Singleton Council | Queen St Singleton NSW 2330 | Creation of Alroy Oval Sports Precinct | Singleton Council | This project provides for a range of upgrades to Alroy Oval identified under the Alroy Oval Masterplan that was adopted in 2021. This includes the provision of three full-sized football fields with drainage and floodlighting, car park upgrades, footpaths and a new female friendly and fully accessible amenities building. | $2,000,000 |
| Southern Tablelands Football Association Incorporated | 13A Dewhirst St Goulburn NSW 2580 | Light Up Cookbundoon | Goulburn Mulwaree Council | This project will install new LED sports lights on fields 1 and 2 at Cookbundoon, which will allow flexible evening training, higher level football competitions and promote larger regional tournaments. This will benefit players, coaches, volunteers, spectators and visitors of all ages and provide safer facilities, encouraging female participation. | $872,744 |
| Sport Une (Une Life Pty Ltd) | Sports Union Dr Armidale NSW 2350 | Sports Lighting Installation for Bellevue Oval | Armidale Regional Council | Bellevue Oval does not currently provide a welcoming and inclusive environment. Installation of adequate sports lighting will ensure safer training, and enable the facility to be used by a wider section of the community. This will benefit all users and help increase participation by women and girls at this venue. | $425,000 |
| Springwood Country Club Ltd | 84 Hawkesbury Rd Springwood NSW 2777 | Slow Swing (Forward) Tees | Blue Mountains City Council | The Springwood Country Club (SCC) aspire to modernise the golf course by incorporating 17 newly designed forward tees, strategically positioned along the fairways enabling players of all abilities to choose a fairway length that aligns with their skill level and fosters a more inclusive and enjoyable golfing experience. | $211,475 |
| Stingrays Rlfc Shellharbour | 2 Jindabyne Rd Flinders NSW 2529 | New Female Friendly Amenities Flinders | Shellharbour City Council | Stingrays RLFC Shellharbour operate from Flinders Oval, Flinders NSW. We require a new upgraded female friendly amenities building for players and referee's. Currently our change rooms consist of 1 open room with seat, showers and a toilet. This project will improve access for females to participate in Rugby League. | $1,857,250 |
| Wollongong City Council | 41 Burelli St Wollongong NSW 2500 | Thomas Gibson Park Sporting Amenity | Wollongong City Council | Construction of new, purpose built, gender equitable sporting amenity incorporating home and away changerooms with ambulant toilet cubicles and showers with private change areas. The project will also incorporate a Referees/First Aid room, kiosk, 2 storage spaces, formalised DDA-compliant car parking, upgrade of existing car park and new shared pathway. | $1,000,000 |
| *Application withdrawn | $28,601,881 |