Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton (right)  pictured with Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Mathew Dickerson.

In a boost to local sport and the regional economy, Dubbo Regional Council has been awarded an Australian Government grant to host the NSW Junior Rugby U13 Championships.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said Dubbo Regional Council will receive $7,600 to host the event as part of the Coalition Government’s Regional Sport Events Fund.

The initiative is supporting regional sport while also helping to boost local economies by attracting more visitors to regional areas to attend sporting events.

“The NSW Junior Rugby U13 Championships will see the best junior rugby players in the state converge on Dubbo over the June long weekend,” Mr Coulton said.

“I’m pleased to be able to support Dubbo Regional Council to host the state championships, which will help to attract visitors and stimulate the local economy after a challenging few years.

“Sport helps strengthen the fabric of community across the Parkes electorate and the Coalition Government is committed to helping people reconnect and celebrate through sport.”

Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck, said the program will have wide-ranging benefits for local communities.

“With funding of up to $50,000 available to host regional sporting events, the Australian Government is helping ensure regional communities can bounce back after the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Colbeck said.

“We’ve seen applications for events range from ‘come and try days’ to larger events such as state sporting championships that will engage the broader community and have flow on effects for local businesses.”

All local councils in regional, rural and remote areas across Australia had the opportunity to apply for funding to host sporting events.

More information about the Regional Sport Events Fund can be found here.