The club secured funding to add an additional dressing shed for women, furthering their efforts to increase female participation.

The upgrade will also include an all-access ramp to the existing clubhouse, moving an existing storage facility and converting an unused canteen space into a dedicated Referee’s room with shower and toilet facilities.

Council will work with the club to deliver the works which will coincide with an upgrade to the irrigation and playing surface at the same time.

Mayor of Port Stephens Ryan Palmer says he’s thrilled to hear of the successful funding application.

“Bill Strong Oval is a treasured piece of the Port Stephens sporting landscape and it is great to see funding towards the upgrades. Having lived in Port Stephens my entire life, I know firsthand how loved this local organisation is by so many of us,” said Mayor Palmer.

“I want to congratulate Nelson Bay Rugby Club on their successful grant application, and thank the NSW Government continuing to support the Port Stephens sporting community.

Nelson Bay Rugby Club President Ray Milton welcomed the funding and thanked the State Government along with Port Stephens Council for their support.

“NBRC is the only premier sporting club in all of Port Stephens and this grant will go a long way to show how important our club is to the residents and visitors of the Tomaree Peninsula,” Mr Milton said.

“Our club has one senior and three junior female teams who are an integral part of our club, and these new facilities will show them how much they are valued by all of us.

“The grant will provide for the first time, proper disabled access to the club. We must always remember that rugby should be accessible to all,” he said.

This round of the Stronger Country Communities Fund will see $100 million distributed across NSW to 550 new projects.

To date, rounds 1 and 2 of the program have funded more than 1000 projects.

For more information, visit nsw.gov.au/strongercountrycommunities