After two challenging years impacted by COVID and poor weather, a cash injection from the Greater Bank’s #GreaterIllawarra Community Funding Program will help Wollongong United Football Club repair its playing surfaces and future-proof its infrastructure.
The Illawarra Premier League club will receive $2,000 for taking out the August round of the program, with while runners-up, Wollongong Mustangs and Corrimal Cougars Junior Rugby League Football Club, both taking away $500.
Wollongong United FC Secretary, Peter Cvetkovski, said the club plays a big role in the local community, especially for those of Macedonian Orthodox Heritage.
“We aim to provide an environment that increases participation and drives investment through community partnerships, thus ensuring sustainability,” Peter said.
“The club facilitates events and workshops that promote and lead to an increase in participation in sport and in the social arena, providing a focal point for community building and engagement.
“The combination of the pandemic and the recent wet weather put a major stop to our activities. We have had to cancel numerous events including up to 20 football matches – one being the ‘Round of 32’ Australia Cup match.
“The money from the #GreaterIllawarra Community Funding Program will go towards repairing our playing surface at Macedonia Park and improving the overall infrastructure that underpins it, so we are better able to deal with extreme weather in the future.
“Community Sport is a pillar of our society and is ingrained in the fabric of how it functions. It is really important for people to have a break from day-to-day life and that's what football and our club provides.”
Wollongong United FC Secretary, Peter Cvetkovski
Greater Bank’s Illawarra Regional Sales Manager, Greg Creagan, said clubs like Wollongong United FC are very important to the region.
“It’s not just about football, because this club hosts a range of cultural and community events throughout the year that bring visitors to the Illawarra,” Greg said.
“However, football is the reason the club exists, so we are very proud to be able to help them ensure they’re better prepared for the future.”
Our September nominees will also share in $3,000 in monthly funding, with Wings Over Illawarra, Helensburgh Offroad Cycle Club and Wollongong Illawarra Roller Derby in the running.
The public online vote in our September round will be open from 9.00am Monday 5 September until 5.00pm Wednesday 28 September at greater.com.au/greaterillawarra.