Local Portside suburbs include Carrington, Fern Bay, Islington, Kooragang Island, Maryville, Mayfield, Mayfield East, Mayfield West, Newcastle, Newcastle East, Stockton, Tighes Hill and Wickham.

The initiative was sparked from community feedback in the Local Voices Community Survey calling for support of local sport. Port Waratah then considered how funding for local sport could align with our Community Investment and Partnership Programme values to support many, support local and at a grass-roots level rather than high-profile. Ultimately, providing a commitment of support where it’s needed most. Thereby, Youth Sport in Portside Suburbs was born.

The funding programme was first delivered in 2020 and has strengthened relationships across the city, with more than 20 different sports receiving funding. It is designed to provide direct benefit to the families that have children involved in sporting activities through sport development programmes, community sport events, improved sports access such as equipment, uniforms or registration subsidy, and facility developments or upgrades.

We provide up to $1,500 for each approved application. Application calling periods are held twice a year in February and August. Specific requirements and assessment criteria apply.

In 2023, Port Waratah’s Youth Sport Programme exceeded expectations with more than $31,000 provided in partnership to 21 local organisations and schools, directly supporting local junior sport in our Portside communities. Some of the junior clubs and schools that benefited include:

• Bar In Water Polo Club received funding for the purchase of new inflatable goals for their junior players;
• Newcastle City Touch Football purchased match balls and night match balls;
• Girls Day Out Community Event purchased new marquees for shade;
• Newcastle Rowing Club engaged speed coaches and purchased a megaphone to assist with training their junior rowers on the water; and
• Newcastle Wolves Softball Club purchased much needed equipment for their junior players.