Sport is the lifeblood of many small communities, a fact that has been recognised through a federal government grant presented to the Warren Pumas Rugby Union Club this week.
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Parkes MP Mark Coulton has presented $4906 from round three of the government’s Stronger Communities Program to help the Pumas install a portable electronic scoreboard at their home ground, Victoria Park.
Mr Coulton said the project would improve the experience of players, officials and sports spectators at Victoria Park where there is currently no scoreboard available for use.
He said the proposed scoreboard would be operated via wireless remote control with an extra loud siren and rechargeable battery to enable it to be used in various locations around the town's sporting grounds.
“As in many small communities, sport in Warren is the lifeblood and plays an important role in encouraging social cohesion,” Mr Coulton said.
“Crowd sizes at local sporting fixtures can be in excess of 500 people and the absence of a scoreboard has been a source of frustration for many.
“The proposed portable electronic scoreboard will address this issue and support the vibrancy and viability of local sporting clubs into the future.”
The scoreboard will be mounted on a mobile trolley with pneumatic wheels to enable it to be moved into secure storage after use in order to ensure that it reaches the full extent of its intended lifespan (minimum of 10 years).
Mr Coulton said he had been overwhelmed by the community response he received from across his electorate for rounds one, two and three of the Stronger Communities Program.
“For a long time I felt there was a need for greater support for incorporated not-for-profit and local government organisations to help build and maintain small infrastructure projects that would benefit our local communities,” he said.