Member for Hughes David Moncrieff (left), Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivong MP, Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Darcy Lound and Gunners Soccer Club President Gary Phillips check out the new flood lights at Hazlett Oval. 

Local football teams are kicking goals after a $160,000 project to fund new flood lights for Hazlett Oval in Macquarie Fields.

The project was funded by the NSW Government through the NSW Football Legacy Round Two and Campbelltown City Council. The State Government’s contribution was $60,000.

The works have now been completed and local teams are excited about the upgrade.

Hazlett Oval caters to a number of different sports, including football and cricket.

Member for Macquarie Fields, Anoulack Chanthivong MP, said the project would enable greater use of the facility.

“This is an excellent addition to Hazlett Oval, which will see greater use of this community facility by local sporting groups. 

“The NSW Government is proud to partner with Council to deliver flood lights at Hazlett Oval to meet Australian Standards and help boost participation in sport across the electorate.”

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said the program and upgrade showed the Minns Labor government was focused on rebuilding grassroots sporting communities after years of Liberal neglect.

 “The new floodlights will unlock the facilities for night-time use and improve safety – allowing more players and teams to get stuck in on the pitch,” he said.

 “Our government is proud to back this initiative and the local grassroots clubs who will benefit.”

Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Darcy Lound, said: “This is a great example of local government and state government working together to ensure positive outcomes for sporting clubs that work hard to provide a healthy and quality lifestyle for our community.”

President of the Gunners Soccer Club, Gary Phillips, said that investing in quality lighting at Hazlett Oval would unlock its potential for night training, thus significantly reducing wear and tear on the primary playing field.

“We are very blessed to have such a great and successful club, however more than doubling our capacity over the last 10 years to over 650 members has put a massive strain on our fields.

“Weekly training and so many competitions, State Cup and Australia Cup games considerably wears out our fields. By improving the lighting at our training ground across the road, we can utilise this oval so much more and reduce wear and tear to our main playing fields used for playing.

“This will truly make a massive difference to our club.”