ONE of the Gunnedah region's fastest-growing sports has received a major boost thanks to the state government.
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The Gunnedah and District Soccer Association has received more than $340,000 in grant funding, via the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund.
The funds will be used to give the association's clubhouse a major face-lift, to include new changing facilities for male and female players, as well as match officials, and a multi-purpose function room.
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Association committee member Helen Cygan said the upgrades would continue to help the sport grow in Gunnedah.
"Soccer has a fantastic following here, and we're one of the biggest sporting clubs in the town and around the region," Cygan said.
"The club has experienced a 26 per cent growth in membership over the last five years, with 521 members registered (88 per cent are junior players and 28 per cent are female players.
"So, to have these upgraded facilities will give the sport a really big boost."
The funding comes as the Gunnedah Golf Club received more than $272,000 of grant funding through the state government's Stronger Country Communities Fund.
Club president Peter Spackman said the funds would go towards the installation of safety barrier fencing around the club's course.
"The drought has had a heavy impact on the club's financial resources, we've had to buy more water to keep the greens going," he said.
"We've had to re-seed our fairways and update watering systems, and this has been a burden on our coffers, so this announcement is just fantastic news."
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said the new fencing would also have major benefits for Gunnedah's wildlife.
"This is awesome news for the golf club, which is literally the green heart of a large residential area of town," Mr Anderson said.
"The course is also home to a number of resident koalas, so the fence will provide them with a safe and secure barrier from wandering dogs, and keep them away from local traffic movements."
