St John's club receives $1 million boost from Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders

Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders has announced a $999,999 grant for the club while he also personally handed over a $1 coin to St John's president Bernard Wilson to make it a round $1 million.

The grant is part of the state government's Regional Sport Facility Fund and will go towards a number of developments for the club.

"We have huge demand for more training and playing space for junior rugby league in Dubbo, and this grant will play a big part in our ability to help foster young players, and provide more playing fields," Wilson said.

"We're really grateful for this injection of funds to help us get this project moving, and look forward to supporting more young players and families in the future."

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Saunders was delighted to assist the club and he confirmed the Regional Sport Facility Fund is set to run for two years and give local clubs plenty of new opportunities.

"The fund is providing grants from $100,000 to $1 million for projects such as lighting, amenity and changeroom upgrades," Saunders said.

"It's also another key part of our state-wide sports infrastructure plan, to help support and create more jobs in regional areas as the economy bounces back from the impacts of COVID-19," he said.

"The club will now work with Dubbo Regional Council to identify the most suitable location for more footy fields, and I know this grant will go a long way in helping this growing club expand and attract more players."

The financial shot in the arm for St John's comes just months after it received $10,000 from the NRL.

The NRL and major sponsor Telstra announced in the build-up to the grand final a $5,000 grant would be given to the junior club of every player of the premiership-winning side.

St John's products Isaah Yeo and Matt Burton played key roles in the Penrith Panthers' premiership success, earning their junior club funds which Wilson said at the time would go towards "upgrading all our equipment from tackle bags through to footballs and other gear".

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