Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has announced the Goonellabah Football Club will benefit from $94,776 for new field lighting, under the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program.

Ms Saffin said the club will use the grant to install modern, environmentally sustainable LED lights to upgrade the lighting on the playing fields at Weston Park.

”This is wonderful news for the club, which has hundreds of players in its Goonellabah Hornets teams ranging from the 6-year-olds up to the senior teams.

Jeff Wingfield from Goonellabah FC said the club will be able to complete its lighting upgrade with four new lighting towers, which will give it six overall.

“The improved lighting will ensure it easily meets the lux rating for night games, and is important for training too.

“This is the third time the club has applied for this grant funding, and I’m hoping the club can get the lighting installed before the next season,” Mr Wingman said.

The grants are made possible by the ClubGrants Category 3, which re-invests profits from registered clubs’ gaming machines into community projects.

The Minister for Racing and Gaming said the grants support local communities to create or improve facilities that boost community spirit and increase health and wellbeing through participation in sport and recreation, the arts, volunteering or preparing for natural disasters.

“We received a large number of worthy projects for consideration, and I congratulate those who have been successful and look forward to seeing the work they can undertake to benefit communities.”

Applications for the next round of ClubGrants category 3 open on 24 November.