CHARLESTOWN City Blues FC players will have a spring in their steps as they run out onto their newly-replenished grounds this season.
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Earlier this month, Hunter Water announced the recipients of its 2014 community grants for local sustainability projects.
As one of the 13 recipients, Charlestown Football Club was awarded $5000 towards a water-saving initiative, which the club started work on in December.
New water-retaining top soil was spread on the oval and the drainage system wasimproved.
Charlestown City Blues FC secretary Steve Wright said despite patches of heavy rain in recent weeks, the oval had not flooded.
He said the soil had stored the water and kept it moist for a longer period of time.
Mr Wright said this was great for the club's players, who would be less prone to injuries on a field cushioned by healthy grass.
Due to new guidelines set out by the Football Federation Australia, this year the club is required to have seven squads, with 120 players.
This means more than 80 games will be played on the oval across the season, which kicks off next month.