Champagne celebrations are in order for Hazelbrook “Hawks” Football Club now that work has finished on their new facilities at Lawson Oval on Ferris Lane.
The club made a successful application for a grant of just under $30,000 through the NSW government’s Community Building Partnership scheme. Hazelbrook Football Club and volunteers contributed another $10,000 in cash and in kind.
The building was officially launched on Tuesday October 25 by Blue Mountains MP, Trish Doyle, who is also a club member.
They now have a new shelter, seating and storage shed at Lawson Oval, one of the two venues used during the football season. They hope to be able to run a BBQ from the shed and hook up a coffee cart, while also storing nets and other essentials. It’s a facility they will share with the cricket club.
Matt Goodlet, Hazelbrook Hawks committee member, said it was “just persistence” that ensured they got their building finished.
“We applied for the grant in the 2014 round and were provided with the funding in early 2015. Approval from council took a little time but we eventually got going in early 2016.”
“We hope it will be more comfortable for visitors to the oval. It will also enable the club to schedule more matches here,” he added, splitting the roster between their home ground at Gloria Park.
The club has had an eight per growth in membership with 492 players and 600 registered members, making it the second biggest soccer club in the Mountains, after Springwood, he said.
The club is now waiting for Blue Mountains Council to install a water bubbler which will complete the project.
Ms Doyle said she was happy to help other clubs and community groups with their funding applications.