On any given weekend in Hornsby Shire, it’s clear how much sport matters. Sport is where our kids learn to be part of a team and lifelong skills like resilience and hard work. From cricket and rugby to soccer and netball, our sporting clubs bring community together and help us find connection. The importance of local sport is why I am working with local clubs and councils to invest in local sporting fields.
Many existing ovals cannot cope with wet conditions due to limited drainage and infrastructure. Games get cancelled because of a combination of wet weather and overuse of fields. One girls football team has told me 8 of 11 games last season had to be cancelled.
The recent draft Cherrybrook rezoning identified five new sporting fields were needed to support population growth, highlighting a broader issue. When thousands of families move in, supporting infrastructure, including sporting fields, must grow as well.
Without additional ovals, the pressure on existing fields will increase. A new synthetic field at Westleigh would provide a training facility to preserve other grounds for use on game day. I strongly support this proposal.
The recent opening of the new pavilion at Mark Taylor Oval in Waitara shows the impact of investment. The entire precinct has transformed over the past decade. It received strong investment from Government and is a model of what we need to do elsewhere.
With the winter sports season approaching, the pressure on our fields will only increase. I will be making this a key focus and want to hear from you and your club.
