http://www.centralcoastbears.com.au/news/liberal_party_get_behind_the _bears.html
LIBERAL PARTY GET BEHIND THE BEARS
6th August, 2010 | Posted by Central Coast Bears
Today liberal candidate for Robertson Darren Jameson and Liberal candidate for Dobell John McNamara, as well as shadow treasurer Joe Hockey have jointly committed their strong support for a state of the art training facility for the Central Coast Bears.
The Central Coast Bears are seeking admission into the National Rugby League in 2013 and a world-class training facility would increase that prospect, benefiting both electorates.
"The Central Coast Bears Academy of Sport will be a world class sport science and high performance facility for the development of Central Coast sport, and a home for the Central Coast Bears," said Greg Florimo, Chief Executive Officer, Central Coast Bears.
Among the long list of facilities will be an Olympic-standard gymnasium, a state of the art recovery centre, full sized turf and synthetic training fields (for hockey), high performance offices and meeting rooms, and community recovery and hydrotherapy equipment.
The academy, which is the brainchild of Central Coast Bears Head of Football Operations David Fairleigh, will also link with the University of Newcastle and TAFE to provide programs focused on sports medicine, sport psychology, nutrition, health and lifestyle, sports administration, strength and conditioning and drugs in sport.
"The facility will also provide accommodation, enabling national and international sporting teams to use the Central Coast as a base during major sporting events, enhancing regional exposure," said Mr Florimo.
"We are in preliminary talks with several stakeholders about housing the Centre of Excellence and a preliminary estimate of $19.48 million to build the facility. So any financial support we can attract from the government or private sectors would be most welcome."
Mr Jameson said the entire Central Coast would gain from an NRL club, which would play its games at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford.
"An investment in this training facility is an investment in our community. As the representative for Robertson, I will fight to fund it," Mr Jameson said.
"A Central Coast NRL team will boost tourism and economic growth."
"More people will come to the Central Coast, meaning more revenue for our local businesses. This is good for the community."
Mr McNamara said this training facility at would also encourage local youth to participate in sport.
"Sport teaches our children values, respect and responsibility and encourages healthy lifestyles. This proposed training facility will benefit the kids of Dobell," Mr McNamara said.
"Linking this facility to the Bears and the Central Coast Academy of Sport will provide a regional sporting hub that will attract many new sporting events to our area. It's vital that we encourage youth to be active and participate in sport. This facility would provide a venue for that."
"An NRL team is important to not only grow our economy, but also act as a unifying symbol for the Central Coast. A state of the art training facility in Dobell would bring enormous benefits," Mr McNamara said. "As a Wyong Shire Councillor and a Board Member of the Central Coast Sports Federation I have always been a strong advocate for such facilities."
"We've watched Labor spend recklessly on home insulation and BER schemes. In contrast this new training facility is an investment that, without a doubt, would create jobs and be good for our economy," said Mr McNamara.
