
Iona Sports Club now has access to new lighting systems, through the Northern NSW Football Facilities Fund.
St Columbia Anglican School’s rear oval has been equipped with brand new LED lights through the partnership between NNSWF and Iona Sports Clubs. Established in 2018, Iona Sports Club caters to football, netball, basketball, and volleyball teams across various age categories, and over 75% of the teams comprise students from St Columbia Anglican School. The lighting upgrade will open up opportunities for training, and high-performance squads, and will allow matches to be played at night.
Supported by the Iona Sports Club committee, President Tony Judge and St Columbia Anglican School’s Business Manager Garry Clifton initiated plans to set up new lighting systems at the front and rear oval’s several years ago. Iona Sports Club through NNSWF Facilities Fund were successful in receiving their grant application of $43,250 in July 2019 in addition, St Columbia Anglican School matched the grant for the installation of field lights at the grounds.
Inauguration and inspection of the new lighting upgrade were done by members and representatives from Iona Sports Club, Northern NSW Football as well as council member staff and students of St Columbia School earlier this week.
Iona Sports Club Secretary Laurence Barlow spoke about the upgrades via press release:
“The lighting will allow for extended usage of the fields and enable clubs to train at night which makes participating in sport easier for families because they can train and compete after school and work and, staying active and healthy is an important part of our lifestyle in the Hastings region and we are committed to providing opportunities for our community to take part in physical activity.”
St Columbia Anglican School Campus Manager, Chris Moss added via press release:
“This season has seen a number of teams unable to host games due to wet weather and that may continue into next year. The addition of the lights will put the school in a position to transfer additional games to their fields, helping keep other clubs playing matches and, in the competition.”
Accessibility to the new lighting upgrades will enable the sporting fields to be utilised much more efficiently, during shorter winter days and also in the summer evenings.