The Central Coast Sports Council has labelled as “unconscionable” Central Coast Council’s decision to reduce a subsidy for junior sport’s ground fees.
The Sports Council said it was disappointed that it did not have the support of council on the matter with the current cost of living families are facing.
The council has reduced by 50 per cent the subsidy it gives junior sports for ground fees, compared with what it charges for adult sports fees.
The subsidy was 50 per cent and has now been reduced to 25 per cent.
“To put this extra burden on families and clubs is unconscionable when council is aware that this increase will impose some financial concern to clubs and associations,” the sports council said.
“The community misses not having councillors to raise issues like this matter with them, so they can advocate on the community’s behalf.”
Following the Council-under-administration meeting of June 27, the Sports Council advised Administrator Rik Hart that his comments about reducing a subsidy for junior sports was incorrect.
Mr Hart stated that:-
“We’re not entirely removing it, just back to 25 per cent subsidy which it was before Covid, it was increased to 50 per cent during Covid.”
The 50 per cent subsidy was in fact introduced in 2019 well before Covid and was meant to be long term, the Sports Council said.
It came about during the harmonisation of fees between Wyong and Gosford clubs.
Mr Hart eventually agreed that the Sports Council was correct. But he has still refused to keep the 50 per cent subsidy.
Sports Council president Graham Boland said that he was concerned at Council’s comments that showed that Council was aware the increase would impose some financial concern to a few clubs and associations.
“As a Sports Council it is our responsibility to advocate for our sporting clubs, especially those clubs that this increase will financially affect,” Mr Boland said.
“It could mean some clubs may have to consider closing, especially with the current cost of living expenses families are facing which is putting extra burden on families and clubs.”
