After a challenging year, the Cooma Stallions, Bombala Blue Heelers and Snowy River Bears have been given a reason to smile.
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On Friday (January 15, 2021) John Barilaro and local MLC Bronnie Taylor met with representatives from the clubs to announce $12,000 in funding to ensure the sporting groups can continue to operate.
"Last summer's bushfires coupled with the impacts of COVID-19 put significant pressure on our economy, affecting local businesses and resulting in a downturn in employment" Mr Barilaro said.
"Repercussions were felt far and wide, and local sporting groups were not immune. We know how important sport is in our community and this funding will be provide a much-needed helping hand during this challenging time.
"Sport plays an important role in our community, not only encouraging us to look after our health and wellbeing but it brings the community together.
"This money will go directly to ensuring the financial viability of the clubs well into the future, so our players young and old can continue play the game they love."
Mrs Taylor said the funding will provide a badly needed boost to morale in the local community.
"Grassroots sport plays a critical role in keeping our community healthy, active and connected and it can also really help to build resilience," Mrs Taylor said.
NSWRL CEO David Trodden said the assistance will make the world of difference to local clubs and players.
"Community sport is such an important part of regional NSW and this funding will give the clubs in the district a major boost," Mr Trodden said.
"We really appreciate the support from the NSW Government for our sport at a grassroots level."
On behalf of the Cooma Stallions, the Bombala Blue Heelers and the Snowy River Bears, Allan Wilton, Group 16 Rugby League Chairman, thanked Mr Barilaro and Mrs Taylor for their support.
"The Snowy Monaro region has been dealing with the impacts of drought for a number of years. Followed by the horrific bushfires last summer and the pandemic, the financial impact on our local sporting groups simply became too much," Mr Wilton said.
"Sport is an essential part of our local communities, and this grant will ensure that our local clubs will be able to survive well into the future.
