The central Newcastle outfit, with more than 1000 members, had $85,010 in funding announced on Monday by Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald.

Plans are to put the money towards regrading, laser levelling and re-turfing the worn surface as well as drainage installation.

“We have over 1000 players who will directly benefit from this grant, and it will immeasurably improve the surface where the grass roots, community level of our club trains and plays,” Cooks Hill facilities manager Lee Bateman said.

The grant for Cooks Hill, celebrating the club’s 20^th anniversary, comes two years after the Asian Cup was hosted in Australia, including several games at McDonald Jones Stadium. 

“Through the allocation of surplus funding from the elite level Asian Cup in 2015 to community football, it ensures that we continue to see Australia succeeding on the international stage, while getting kids more active at the same time,” MacDonald said.

Northern NSW Football chief executive officer David Eland said more clubs from this region will score from upcoming announcements.

“The 16 recipients of funding in round one will greatly benefit with improvements ranging from amenity upgrades to a new synthetic pitch,” Eland said.

“These clubs will now be able to meet the needs of their members by providing more appropriate facilities.”