Basketball, netball, volleyball, table tennis and futsal are sports gaining popularity in Auckland, a council official says. Photo: Shane Wenzlick/Photosport Ltd 2021
Auckland Council is inviting community groups to apply for grants to develop sports and recreation facilities in the region.
It has $13.4 million available for 2023, part of a $150m investment fund to be dispensed by 2031.
The council's acting general manager for active communities, Dave Stewart, said the funding addressed shortfalls such as a lack of indoor courts.
"Indoor courts are a regional priority and something that we're looking carefully at [is] how we can work with the sports sector to meet that increase in demand," he said.
"Indoor courts catering for sports like basketball, netball to a certain degree, volleyball, table tennis, futsal, so all sports that are seeing quite strong growth in the current environment.
"We're really looking to be able to support the participation in those sports and help those sports continue to grow and serve our communities."
Stewart said there were more than 100 applications for the last funding round.
The funding has supported the building of hockey turfs and an indoor gymnasium.
"Sport and recreation continues to be a priority for Aucklanders of all ages with many people wanting choices when looking to be active. This fund looks to address sport and recreation infrastructure shortfalls and respond to changing preferences by Aucklanders.
"Its focus is on creating the best outcomes for the community while ensuring value for investment is achieved, all while getting Aucklanders, especially tamariki, more active."
The Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund is contestable and open to non-council organisations, with a focus on communities that are in the greatest need of investment and large-scale community sport facility development projects.
The 2023 funding round is open for applications until the end of January.