Member for Leppington, Nathan Hagarty welcomes the awarding of funding for the Leppington Lions Soccer Club as part of Round 2 of the NSW Football Legacy Fund.
$15,000 has been awarded to the Lions for their Leppington Lioness Program, a free summer initiative aimed at increasing female participation in local soccer.
The Lioness Program is part of the Lions’ “Join our Pride” campaign, fostering inclusivity and participation in the club.
Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said:
“After the stunning world cup performance of our Matildas, there has never been a better moment to invest in the sporting talents of our girls.
“The Lions are a fantastic local club that perfectly encapsulates the soccer fanaticism in Leppington and the broader South West.
“I am looking forward to seeing the Lionesses enhance their abilities kick goals all summer.
“It is programs like these where local clubs will be able to spot our nation’s next Sam Kerr or Mary Fowler.”
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
“The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 took women’s sport in Australia to new levels.
“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring the momentum created by the Matildas success leaves a positive legacy for women and girls at all levels of football.
“The $3.2 million awarded today for new facilities and participation initiatives through the NSW Football Legacy Fund will ensure that women’s football in NSW benefits from NSW hosting games long after the final ball is kicked.”
Football NSW CEO John Tsatsimas said:
“Football NSW is excited to see further football projects come to fruition thanks to the announcement of recipients of the 2nd round of the NSW Football Legacy Fund.
“The excitement from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is already evident with huge increases in registration numbers for summer football.
“The infrastructure projects will focus on improving player experiences and safety through facility upgrades including lighting and drainage and creating more modern and accessible amenities for local communities.
“The participation funding initiatives support the statement ‘You can’t be what you can’t see’, targeting female growth towards gender parity in all aspects of the game including players, coaches, referees, and leadership roles.”
Leppington Lions Spokesperson said:
"It was a great opportunity for the Leppington Lions Soccer Club to submit an application for the Local Sport Grant Program.
“Nathan Hagarty's support to the club during this year and during the application process was critical and will hopefully increase the chances of securing the grant.
“The grant will be instrumental in getting the club infrastructure ready for potential expansion in 2024 to accommodate the local community in Leppington's growing needs.”
DATE: 11 DECEMBER 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: NICHOLAS PETKOVIC | 0418 273 258
