Sports clubs play a central role in many regional communities; often not just for the sporting teams they field. Cringila Lions Football Club is one such example, with its facilities also playing host to dancing groups, religious festivals, performing arts and multi-cultural festivals year-round.
The club was the major beneficiary of the February round of Greater Bank’s #GreaterIllawarra community funding program and plans to use the $2000 received from winning the public vote to upgrade their facilities.
Cringila Lions Football Club President Steven Jovanovski said the club was established in 1968 and has a proud history of supporting football in the community.
“We play in the Illawarra Premier League and we’re fielding six teams this year, including our women’s team who are playing in Women’s Division 1,” Steven said.
“This aligns with the club’s core values and vision to see greater diversity and inclusion, especially in women’s football.
“We are particularly proud of our support for a variety of community activities, including being home to the local dancing group, which has over 200 children participating in their program.
“Thanks to the #GreaterIllawarra community funding program, we will be able to invest in new equipment for our juniors to allow more of their games to be played at Crehan Park.
“We are also planning to upgrade our lights and our changeroom facilities to facilitate greater diversity and broader community involvement in the club.”
February runners-up, Port Kembla Cricket Club and Southern Districts Rugby Club each received $500.
Greater Bank’s Illawarra Regional Sales Manager, Greg Creagan, said it’s great to see sporting clubs providing a hub for a range of community groups.
“While Cringila Lions is first and foremost a football club, they clearly understand they have a greater role to play in hosting other events and activities, and it’s also clear they see the broader benefits of doing so,” Greg said.
“Everybody in Cringila wins because of this, so we are very pleased to be able to provide some support for the club through the Greater Bank Community Funding Program.”
Greg Creagan, Greater Bank Illawarra Regional Manager
Voting in the March round of the #GreaterIllawarra Community Funding Program is open from 9.00am Monday March 7 until 5.00pm Wednesday March 30, 2022, with Frame Running Wollongong (trading under Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT), Mount Ousley Physical Culture and Thirroul Junior Surf Life Saving Club set to share in $3,000 of monthly funding.
The public can vote online at www.greater.com.au/greaterillawarra