Bankstown Sports

Growing the Game of Hockey

The opening of the new Box Hill Hockey Field in early 2025 marked a major milestone for sport in the Hills Shire, delivering a world‑class venue featuring two professional‑grade synthetic pitches, upgraded changerooms, LED lighting and enhanced spectator facilities. Baulkham Hills Sports Club played a pivotal role in bringing the precinct to life, securing a five‑year licence agreement valued at more than $500,000 to ensure its associated clubs — Hills Hockey Club and Norwest Strikers — have a stable home base for years to come.
In addition to the licence investment, the Club committed a further $80,000 for new scoreboards and water infrastructure, and donated over $20,000 in pre‑loved furniture and equipment for canteen operations and club use.
The club’s community‑first approach is already strengthening grassroots participation. Through Norwest Strikers, a new multi‑tiered hockey program with Santa Sophia Catholic College saw 300 students introduced to the sport in its first year, with structured competitions planned for 2026 and 2027.
With further growth ahead, including Hookin2Hockey programs in partnership with Hockey NSW, Box Hill Hockey Field has quickly become more than a sports venue — it is an emerging community hub supporting participation, wellbeing and the next generation of athletes.

Belmont 16ft Sailing Club

A Clear Course for Young Sailors

Belmont 16s Sailing Club has been a cornerstone of Lake Macquarie’s sailing community for more than a century, combining world‑class facilities with a deep commitment to junior development, accessibility and lifelong participation. While proud of its competitive history, the Club’s focus is firmly on creating structured, inclusive pathways that support sailors from age seven through to senior and veteran levels.
Through its Tackers program, Learn to Sail progression, and the purpose‑built Green Fleet transition pathway, the Club removes financial and practical barriers by providing equipment, accredited coaching and subsidised fees. This holistic approach has driven consistent enrolment growth and stronger junior fleet participation over the past five years.
The Club’s investment in infrastructure is equally significant. More than $3 million has been directed toward sailing development in the past year, including a major upgrade of the Brian Ellis Boat Shed, enhanced safety assets, new training spaces, expanded storage, and solar and battery installation. These upgrades support coaching, volunteer development, the Sailability and She Sails programs, and major regatta hosting.
With accessible facilities, clear pathways and a vibrant community culture, Belmont 16s Sailing Club continues to strengthen participation at every level — building confident sailors, inclusive opportunities and a thriving regional sailing community.

Workers Lifestyle Group

Levelling the Pitch, Kicking Goals for Girls

Blacktown Workers Club continues to shape the future of community sport through its strong, long‑term support of Workers FC — particularly the Elite Women & Girls program. Recognising the power of sport to drive health, inclusion and opportunity, the Club has invested $45,000 to date, ensuring that girls and women in Blacktown have access to professional‑quality development regardless of financial circumstance.
The elite program provides reduced registration fees, high‑quality coaching, physiotherapy access, structured training pathways and mentorship from elite female coaches. These supports have contributed to a remarkable 90% retention rate across women’s teams, reflecting strong belonging, growth and competitive development. With plans underway to launch an elite female premiership team in 2026/27, the pathway for young local athletes has never been clearer.
Blacktown Workers’ investment also strengthens the wider community by reducing cost barriers for families, supporting volunteers and maintaining high‑quality facilities across multiple sports. This commitment promotes physical activity, resilience and wellbeing across the region.
Through sustained funding and a strong focus on inclusion, Blacktown Workers Club is empowering women and girls to dream bigger, stay active and pursue elite sporting opportunities close to home.

Cabra Bowls

Building Champions from the Ground Up

Cabra Bowls has transformed grassroots lawn bowls participation into a structured, high‑performance development system, creating one of Australia’s strongest junior pathways in the sport. Through weekly school programs engaging up to 80 students — including a special needs class — the Club provides inclusive, skills‑focused sessions that introduce children to bowls in a safe, enjoyable environment.
The 2024 launch of the Junior Ant Program has become the backbone of Cabra’s development model. Led by world champion and Australian Jackaroo Carl Healey, the program provides free membership, uniforms, structured coaching, one‑on‑one mentoring and financial support for tournaments and travel. By removing financial barriers, the Club ensures talent and effort — not circumstance — determine opportunity. Thirteen juniors have already progressed through the pathway.
Cabra Bowls’ commitment is reflected in its elite‑level outcomes, with multiple Australian, NSW, Para and junior representatives emerging from the Club. Rising star Jack Barclay, now a two‑time NSW Rookies champion at just 16, exemplifies this success.
As a sponsor and Centre of Excellence for the NSW Junior Blues Squad, Cabra Bowls continues to strengthen junior development, proving that grassroots sport is where champions begin.

Canterbury League Club

Investing in Juniors, Inspiring Future Bulldogs

Since 2023, Canterbury Leagues Club has partnered with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Canterbury Bankstown District Junior Rugby League to strengthen grassroots junior rugby league through the Future Bulldogs program. Designed to reduce financial barriers and boost participation, the program provides a $100 subsidy to local clubs for every registered Under 5 to Under 13 player who plays at least five games during the season.
The program has clear aims: increase junior participation, grow Bulldogs pathway players, strengthen representation from the Canterbury-Bankstown area and build community support for local young athletes.
In 2025, a total of 2,472 children registered — a 20% increase from 2024 — with $247,200 reinvested directly into families and clubs to cover uniforms, equipment, insurance, prizes and administration.
Beyond numbers, the initiative strengthened volunteer engagement, boosted club sustainability and increased interest across all age groups, including girls’ league tag. The program demonstrates a collaborative, inclusive and sustainable approach to developing grassroots rugby league and fostering stronger community connections.

Club Sapphire Merimbula & Merimbula RSL

Fostering Grassroots Sport

"Club Sapphire Merimbula and Merimbula RSL have long been unwavering supporters of Pambula Surf Life Saving Club, providing ongoing opportunities to run raffles inside both venues for many years. This long‑standing partnership has helped sustain vital community fundraising, but in the past year, both clubs went even further.
Recognising the importance of developing strong water safety skills in local children, the Clubs jointly contributed a significant donation to fund brand‑new nipper boards for Pambula SLSC. These boards are essential tools for teaching young surf lifesavers confidence in the water, ocean awareness, surf rescue skills and lifelong respect for the aquatic environment. The investment also supports physical activity, outdoor participation and the development of future volunteers who will one day help protect the community.
Pambula SLSC is deeply grateful for the continued generosity of Club Sapphire and Merimbula RSL, whose commitment ensures local youth have the equipment and opportunities they need to learn, grow and stay safe on our beaches."

Kiama Leagues Club

Small Club. Big Heart. Bigger Impact.

Kiama Leagues Club may be small in size, but its impact on grassroots sport is enormous. In 2025, the Club contributed more than $225,000 to local sporting organisations — over 250% above its ClubGRANTS requirement — demonstrating a deep commitment to participation, inclusion and community wellbeing. Across Kiama, it’s rare to find a junior or senior jersey that doesn’t feature the Kiama Leagues Club logo. Supporting more than ten sporting codes, the Club invests far beyond traditional sponsorship by delivering partnership‑based support, shared community events and hands‑on involvement. This connection shines through at major moments such as ANZAC Day, where sponsored teams help host two‑up or cook breakfast for hundreds of locals in support of Legacy.
Initiatives like Dine & Decide, which generated more than 5,000 community votes, and club fundraising days, where 50% of food and beverage sales go directly back to sporting clubs, have strengthened financial sustainability and local pride. The Club has also invested in long‑term infrastructure, including a multi‑code electronic scoreboard used weekly by teams across the region.
Kiama Leagues Club continues to prove that grassroots sport builds stronger communities — and that even a small regional club can make a powerful, lasting impact.

Moorebank Sports Club

Supporting Our Junior Legends

Moorebank Sports Club is strengthening grassroots participation through its Junior Legends initiative, a program designed to remove financial barriers and give every local child the chance to play sport. Launched in 2025, the program provides every junior member under 18 with a free membership card and a $50 voucher to reduce the cost of registration across Sporties’ five sporting codes. Families redeem the discount directly with their club and Moorebank Sports Club covers the cost in full — ensuring immediate financial relief while supporting the sustainability of volunteer‑run sports.
More than 1,000 children have already joined the program, representing over $50,000 in direct support to local families. Junior Legends not only boosts participation, but also strengthens pathways at community level by linking assistance directly to local codes and committees.
The program continues beyond registration, offering junior members monthly in‑club benefits that build connection and positive experiences. Complementing this is the Good Sports Awards program, recognising teamwork, effort and sportsmanship with certificates that double as meal vouchers.
Through Junior Legends, Moorebank Sports Club is creating a more inclusive, supportive and accessible sporting community — ensuring every child has the opportunity to play, grow and belong.

Mounties

Female Pathways through Mounties Junior Rugby League

Mounties Group is transforming the landscape of women’s rugby league through sustained investment in junior development, inclusive participation and elite pathway alignment. Through Mounties Junior Rugby League (JRL), girls now have a supported pathway from their first game in Under‑6s through to senior women’s competition and the NRLW.
A cornerstone of this impact is Mounties’ free Women’s Clinic program, providing high‑quality coaching, skill development and confidence‑building sessions for female players from Under 12s to senior women. These clinics, combined with whole‑club female training sessions, foster mentorship, belonging and skill progression at every stage.
Mounties JRL fields dedicated girls’ teams across all key age groups, ensuring smooth transition into senior grades — a major factor in preventing the participation drop‑off common in adolescence. The Club also plays a pivotal role in national female pathways through its alignment with the Canberra Raiders NRLW program, providing meaningful game time and development opportunities. Eight current Raiders NRLW players began their rugby league journey at Mounties.
With experienced coaches, community outreach, “Come & Try” sessions and investment in high‑performance systems, Mounties Group is ensuring that girls and women not only have a place to play — but a pathway to thrive, from grassroots fields to elite competition.

Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club

Connected Pathway- First Sail to Regional Competition

Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (NCYC) has built one of the most comprehensive grassroots sailing ecosystems in Australia — supporting participation from early childhood through to elite offshore competition. At NCYC, grassroots sport is not a single program, but an interconnected pathway designed to retain, develop and inspire sailors for life.
Children begin through Tackers 1–3, gaining confidence, water safety skills and teamwork. They progress into Green Fleet, where supportive racing environments build sportsmanship and competitive foundations. Teen sailors transition into OutThere Sailing, learning seamanship, marine safety, leadership and navigation — skills that keep them engaged during a traditionally high drop‑off age.
For adults, NCYC offers accessible Learn to Sail programs and an innovative Transition to Yachting course that bridges the gap between keelboats and offshore sailing. Regular Sunday and Wednesday racing embeds new sailors in the community, while the Contiki League and Members League provide competitive access without boat ownership.
Initiatives like SheSails, the Friendship Cup, and the Interclub Trophy expand opportunities for women, youth and regional sailors, ensuring inclusion and connection across the Hunter and beyond.
NCYC’s structured, affordable and collaborative model ensures sailing remains accessible, sustainable and vibrant for generations.

Parra Leagues

Whistle With Confidence: Building Up Referees

Every weekend across Western Sydney, junior rugby league relies on dedicated referees — many of them teenagers — who shoulder significant responsibility from their very first whistle. Recognising the growing challenge of attracting, developing and retaining young officials, Parra partnered with the Parramatta Referees Association to deliver a comprehensive referee education and mentoring program throughout the 2025 season.
Parra’s fully funded pre‑season seminar set the foundation, providing structured rule education, game‑management training and a safe space for junior referees to build confidence before stepping onto the field. This investment removed financial barriers and ensured consistent, professional‑standard training for every developing official.
Throughout the season, referees received weekly coaching, on‑field mentoring, buddy support, video review sessions and ongoing feedback — creating a supportive pathway that nurtured confidence, competence and retention. Young referees like Maisy (18) and Marcus (16) reported feeling more prepared, valued and connected, while senior officials noted improved standards across the cohort.
With plans to continue mentoring and roll out new referee uniforms from 2026 to 2028, Parra’s long‑term commitment is ensuring a sustainable, high‑quality officiating pathway. By investing in referees, Parra is strengthening the future of grassroots rugby league across Western Sydney.

Revesby Workers Club

Play, Belong, Thrive ― Connecting Children to Community Sport

Revesby Workers’ Club is proud to be the founding impact partner of FosterCare FC, an innovative program giving children in Out of Home Care (OOHC) their first real opportunity to participate in community sport. Children in OOHC often face financial hardship, disrupted schooling, trauma and limited support networks, making involvement in local sport extremely difficult. FosterCare FC removes these barriers by covering registration fees, uniforms, equipment and by coordinating communication between carers, caseworkers and local clubs.
Revesby Workers’ early support enabled the program to launch locally, build credibility and secure wider backing across NSW. As the founding impact partner, the Club has funded 40 placements for children in the Canterbury‑Bankstown area, ensuring each child receives everything needed to join and stay engaged across a full season.
Already, the change has been profound. Children previously withdrawn or isolated are now training weekly, building friendships, developing confidence and finding belonging on the field. Caseworkers report that participants are “thriving through sport”, no longer defined by their circumstances but by their position on the team.
With support from clubs like Revesby Workers’, FosterCare FC is on track to assist up to 120 children nationally in its first year — creating lasting opportunities for those who need them most.

Club Thirroul

Bridging Generations Through the Power of Bowls

Club Thirroul is redefining what grassroots bowls can be, proving that a traditionally older sport can inspire the next generation through creativity, planning and community passion. Sparked by an idea from the 2024 Bowls NSW Member Conference, the Club launched its first Schools Bowls Day in Term 4, 2025 — an initiative now shaping a sustainable junior pathway across the Illawarra.
Led by members Vicki Attenborough and Kim Callaway, the program was built through collaboration with Bowls NSW, Bowls Australia and local school networks. Club Thirroul provided its facilities free of charge, supplied equipment and contributed extensive volunteer support. Community members donated 15 full sets of bowls, reflecting the Club’s hands‑on commitment.
The inaugural event welcomed more than 70 students from five schools, including all‑abilities teams, and delivered structured coaching, skills sessions and competition. Teachers reported increased confidence, inclusion and enthusiasm among students — many experiencing bowls for the first time. Presentations from Bowls NSW linked participation to clear school, state and national pathways, reshaping perceptions of the sport.
With schools already seeking repeat involvement and plans underway for a formal inter‑school competition and junior development program, Club Thirroul has created a powerful model for youth engagement. This initiative demonstrates how a community club can grow participation, build confidence and strengthen connections — one bowl at a time.

South Tamworth Bowling Club

Rookie Rollers ― The Next Generation of Bowlers

South Tamworth Bowling Club (STBC) is securing the future of bowls in the New England region through its proactive delivery of Rookie Rollers, a Bowls Australia junior program designed to introduce children to the sport in a fun, accessible and age‑appropriate way. While Rookie Rollers exists at a state level, STBC has gone above and beyond, embedding it within weekly Club operations and tailoring it to local families.
Sessions focus on enjoyment, confidence and connection, welcoming children of all abilities and removing traditional barriers to participation. By offering the program at an at‑cost fee of just $10, and by supplying facilities, equipment, staff and volunteers, STBC ensures affordability while fostering strong intergenerational engagement. Parents and carers are encouraged to participate, helping demystify Club culture and strengthening long-term family involvement.
Since launch, Rookie Rollers has attracted an average of 25 children per week, introducing more than 300 young players to bowls and creating a vibrant, family‑friendly Club atmosphere. Many families now engage in social bowls, dining and events, further building community cohesion.
Through Rookie Rollers, STBC is nurturing confidence, friendships and lifelong participation — ensuring the sport continues to thrive for generations to come.

SS&A Albury

Fostering Grassroots Sport

SS&A Club has reaffirmed its role as a cornerstone of regional sport, extending its naming‑rights partnership with the Ovens & Murray Football Netball League (O&M FNL) for a further 10 years. This renewed agreement — valued at $950,000 — will see SS&A support the League through to 2035, marking an extraordinary 33 consecutive seasons of investment in grassroots sport.
In regional communities, football and netball are more than weekend competitions; they are social anchors, pathways for youth and places where identity, resilience and belonging are built. SS&A’s long‑term support helps keep participation affordable, strengthens volunteer networks, improves facilities and expands opportunities for women, girls and junior athletes across the Ovens & Murray region.
This partnership has already supported thousands of players, delivered meaningful youth development programs, enhanced women’s pathways and boosted local economic activity through game days and major events. The new 10‑year commitment provides the League and its clubs with stability and confidence to plan, grow and thrive.
As the heart of Albury, SS&A is proud to stand beside the O&M FNL — backing the people, families and communities who make regional sport so powerful.

Wenty Leagues

Champions Don’t Start in Stadiums

When the Western Sydney Academy of Sport (WSAS) was forced to vacate its long‑standing base at Penrith Stadium during redevelopment, the organisation faced a major operational setback with limited relocation options. In this critical moment, Wenty Leagues stepped forward, providing substantial office space free of charge, ensuring the Academy could continue supporting hundreds of emerging athletes without disruption.
This support went far beyond offering a workspace — it protected vital development pathways for young people across Western Sydney. WSAS Regional Manager Martin Bullock described the move as “incredible support"", crediting Wenty Leagues’ Board and CEO for their immediate and generous assistance.
Wenty Leagues’ partnership with the Academy extends well beyond accommodation. The Club has long supported junior rugby league development, representative squads and key events including WSAS’s annual awards night — ensuring young athletes receive meaningful recognition in front of their families and community.
By backing WSAS, Wenty Leagues reinforces its commitment to grassroots sport and youth development. Their leadership ensures that aspiring athletes from diverse backgrounds can continue accessing high‑quality programs that build confidence, capability and future opportunity both on and off the field.

Windsor Leagues Club

A Club Driving Grassroots Rugby League

Windsor Leagues Club continues its long-standing commitment to grassroots sport through its deep partnership with the Windsor Wolves Junior Rugby League Club — one of the oldest and largest junior clubs in the Penrith District. In 2025, the Wolves fielded 52 teams and 818 registered players, including 96 female participants, supported by more than 200 volunteers. Players range from Under‑5s through to adults, reflecting a strong culture of inclusivity and community pride.
Through ClubGRANTS Category 2 funding, Windsor Leagues Club provides essential support including field maintenance, training resources, canteen and game‑day equipment, and operational assistance. The Club also invests in player wellbeing, delivering a Mental Health Seminar for U13–U16 players and coordinating a football boot drive to assist families experiencing financial hardship.
This sustained support helped the Wolves achieve one of junior rugby league’s highest honours — being named Panthers Juniors Club of the Year in 2025. The award recognises excellence both on and off the field, including culture, leadership and player development.
Windsor Leagues Club’s commitment ensures young athletes can participate, grow and thrive in a safe, positive and community‑focused sporting environment.

Parra Leagues

Fostering Grassroots Sport

Elite sporting success doesn’t happen alone. For rising endurance athlete Alex Eason, Parra's support has been instrumental in turning potential into performance. As Alex transitioned from promising school competitor to national and international contender, Parra stepped in to remove the financial and logistical barriers that often prevent young athletes from progressing through high‑performance pathways.
Through targeted financial assistance covering flights, accommodation, race entry fees and travel costs, Para enabled Alex to consistently compete against Australia’s top athletes — gaining critical experience and maintaining momentum during pivotal development years. The partnership has grown alongside Alex’s achievements and ambitions, reflecting a belief in long‑term investment rather than one‑off sponsorship.
The results have been exceptional. In 2025 alone, Alex became School Sport Australia National Champion, NSW Short Course Cross Country Champion, finished sixth in the Athletics Australia Cross Country Championships, claimed second place at the World Triathlon Age Group Championships, achieved a national qualifying time in the 3000m and secured AIS Emerging Athlete categorisation within the LA 2028 Olympic cycle.
For the community, Alex’s journey has become a source of pride — with Parra recognised as a genuine supporter of developing local talent. With eyes now on the 2026 Elite Junior World Championships in Spain, Parra continues to walk beside Alex as he builds towards the next chapter of his elite sporting future.