The NSW Government's Office of Sport announced in July a one-off grant of up to $1,000 to eligible Clubs and Associations across the state to assist with the resumption of community sport from 1 July, 2020.

The Grassroots Sports Fund was implemented to help bridge the gap for sporting organisations with fixed costs incurred between March and June 2020, where they had not already received financial assistance or relief from local, state or Commonwealth governments or other relief grants.

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The fund was introduced by the Office of Sport and administered through Northern NSW Football who checked the eligibility of affiliated Clubs and Associations and made funds available to Clubs prior to 30 July, 2020.

Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland said the fund went a long way to assisting community football clubs recoup some of the hard costs incurred while the season was postponed.

"Unfortunately, in these difficult times, clubs still need to maintain hard costs regardless of whether football is played or not," Eland said.

"This funding provided by the NSW Government's Office of Sport will go a long way to assist eligible clubs in recouping some of those costs which were unavoidable due to the shortened season and delay due to COVID-19.

"Without the efforts of our clubs and their dedicated volunteers, football would not have got on the park in northern NSW in 2020. So it is pleasing that our clubs have been able to benefit from these grants that will hopefully help them get through this difficult period."

A total of 181 NNSWF clubs received the grants, including 31 from Newcastle Football and 28 from Football Mid North Coast.

Clubs from the Macleay Valley that are included in the funding are Kempsey Hornets, Kempsey Saints, Lower Macleay Brumbies, Macleay Valley Rangers, South West Rocks Stingers and the Upper Macleay Yowies.

NNSWF - Grassroots Sports Fund recipients Zone:

Under the Grassroots Sports Fund, each eligible club and association received up to $1,000 provided it could demonstrate the payment was for an approved purpose.

These purposes included insurances, power, telephone, internet, fixed vehicle or equipment costs (lease, registration), affiliation fees, EFTPOS and banking fees, IT support arrangements and essential equipment.