In Box Hill, new sports teams are facing a challenging situation as they are compelled to play their home games in Berala due to the inadequate local sporting field infrastructure. The Hills Shire Council is urgently advocating for the construction of 40 new playing fields to accommodate the escalating demand driven by the burgeoning population in north-west Sydney.
While funding has been secured for 31 fields through various plans and sources, nine critical fields in locations like Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, and Kellyville remain unfunded. This shortfall is severely impacting the community’s access to green spaces necessary for physical activity and social participation.
Mayor Dr. Michelle Byrne emphasized the essential role of sports in the community, not just for recreation but also for fostering connections and resilience. The increasing population projections for the area underscore the pressing need for more sports fields to cater to the growing demand.
Cricket clubs in the region, including the Box Hill Bears, are particularly affected by the lack of field availability, forcing teams to play outside their local area. The situation is even more challenging for the Box Hill Bears, a club experiencing rapid growth without adequate facilities to support their expanding membership.
Football is also feeling the strain, with a significant rise in both overall participation and female registrations. Limited field availability is leading clubs to seek alternative venues and, in some cases, reject new players due to the lack of space for training and matches.
General Manager of Hills Football, Charlotte Ercil, highlighted the impact of the field shortage on club operations, emphasizing the need for additional infrastructure to accommodate the growing interest in the sport. The current deficit of 40 fields poses a significant challenge that must be addressed to ensure continued access to organized sports.
Mayor Byrne warned of the potential consequences of underinvestment in community infrastructure, citing the risk to elite sporting programs and the overall quality of life in the region. The presence of prominent sporting organizations in The Hills Shire underscores the area’s potential as a hub for talent development and high-performance sports.
To address the urgent need for more sports fields, the Council has launched the Fight for a Fairer Hills Future campaign, urging the NSW Government to allocate resources for new fields, road upgrades, and school construction. These investments are crucial to support the rapid growth and development of The Hills Shire.
The campaign aims to raise awareness about the critical infrastructure requirements in the region and mobilize public support through an e-petition on the NSW Parliament’s website. The petition has garnered significant backing, with thousands of signatures already collected to push for a debate on these vital issues in the Parliament.
As the population continues to grow and the demand for sports facilities escalates, the campaign for more sports fields in The Hills Shire remains a top priority for local authorities and community members alike. The push for additional infrastructure funding is essential to ensure that residents have access to essential amenities and recreational opportunities for years to come.
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