Central Coast Council has taken home an award for promoting community sport and encouraging innovation, inclusion and active recreation.

Central coast won the Local Council of the Year award at the Sport NSW Community Sports Awards, one of 10 categories celebrating the achievements and contributions of community coaches, officials, administrators, organisations and councils over the last 12 months.

Central Coast Council was recognised for continuing to deliver innovative approaches to participation, access and inclusion and promotion of local sport and active recreation.

Unit Manager, Open Space and Recreation, Brett Sherar, says council collaborates with local clubs, associations and partners to increase participation and opportunities for the community.

“Our submission to the Awards highlighted the many ways we collaborate with local clubs, associations, and partners to not only promote our region’s variety of sport and active recreation providers, but also connect our community with sports matching their own wants, needs, abilities and interests,” he said.

Mr Sherar said despite having the highest number of COVID lockdown days outside Greater Sydney, Council provided over 34,000 opportunities for the community to engage in sport and recreation via programs, lessons, initiatives, social sports sessions.

It hosted more than 700 community, elite and professional sports events.

“Council also provided opportunities for local sporting clubs or associations to receive support to implement adjustments to make their sport or active recreation programs more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities, with five local associations receiving assistance to provide modified equipment or deliver accessible programs in our community,” he said.

Council also invested $16 million in infrastructure and facilities for active recreation including upgrades to 16 local sportsgrounds and facilities for netball, swimming, skating.

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