Wilberforce United Soccer Club players are enjoying new lighting at their Woodlands Road grounds thanks in part to funding recommended by Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman.

With assistance from Hawkesbury Sports Council, the club successfully applied for $20,000 in funding to help install lights around the bottom field of the grounds through the last round of the Stronger Communities Program.

“The lights have made a real difference to the club and its players,” Ms Templeman said.

“Members of the Over 35s told me they are particularly happy, because they’ve been able to play under lights on a Friday, close to home, rather than playing at Bligh Park as they have for the last couple of years.”

The next round of the Macquarie Stronger Communities grant is closing soon, and Ms Templeman urged local community groups to register an expression of interest through her office for recommendation to the government.

Tight deadlines for the grants program have been set by the government, and groups must apply by the end of this month.

“Any group that is interested in funding must put a form into my office by Monday, February 22,” she said.

Ms Templeman said she was pleased that one key criteria had changed in the new round.

“In the round coming up, $150,000 will once again be available for up to 20 capital projects in the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains, but this time community groups will not be required to match the funding they are applying for,” Ms Templeman said.

“We have been raising the issue that groups have been unable to undertake normal fundraising activ