East Maitland’s Cooks Square Park is looking a million dollars… literally.

In a major score for local footballers, Maitland City Council, along with the Australian Government, has delivered $1m worth of upgrades to the home of the Maitland Football Club (FC).

The training pitch was extended into a full-sized field, with new irrigation, fencing and floodlighting also installed.

Maitland FC president Steve Good said the Magpies were thrilled with the latest developments to the ground.

“We can’t wait to use the upgraded training pitch as it now provides us with the ability to train our Junior Development League children concurrently with our Premier Youth League boys and girls as they progress through the Premier League pathways,” he explained.

Maitland City mayor Philip Penfold was equally-pleased with the outcome.

“This improvement ensures Maitland FC boasts a top-grade facility at its disposal, now and into the future,” he said.

“Council is delighted to support this rapidly-growing club.”

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson echoed those sentiments.

“I’m proud to have delivered the funding, which has brought necessary upgrades to Cooks Square Park, transforming it into a premier destination for local football,” she said.

“This $1 million investment goes beyond mere infrastructure.

“It represents our commitment to nurturing the health and wellbeing of our Maitland football community.

“This achievement marks a significant milestone in our journey towards enhancing Maitland’s sporting venues.

“These upgrades ensure modern facilities, which create better opportunities for our athletes to compete.”

Maitland City Council has also identified further improvement opportunities at Cooks Square Park.

“We will continue to work with the Member for Paterson and the state and federal governments to explore future funding avenues,” Cr Penfold said.

The fifth-placed Magpies men’s side next faces Lake Macquarie at Cooks Square Park on Saturday 13 April, while the women tackle Adamstown Rosebud at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.

NPL Men’s Northern NSW

Round seven draw:

Saturday 13 April

• 2.30pm: Adamstown Rosebud FC v Cooks Hill United FC (Adamstown Oval)
• 2.30pm: New Lambton FC v Edgeworth FC (Alder Park field 1)
• 5pm: Valentine FC v Weston Workers FC (Croudace Bay Complex)
• 6pm: Maitland FC v Lake Macquarie City FC (Cooks Square Park)

Sunday 14 April

• 2.30pm: Broadmeadow Magic FC v Lambton Jaffas FC (Magic Park)
• 2.30pm: Newcastle Olympic FC v Charlestown Azzurri FC (Darling Street Oval)

NPL Women’s Northern NSW

Round seven draw:

Saturday 13 April

• 4pm: Newcastle Olympic FC v Warners Bay FC (Darling Street Oval -1)
• 4pm: Charlestown Azzurri FC v New Lambton FC (Lisle Carr Oval -1)
• 7pm: Adamstown Rosebud JFC v Maitland FC (Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility)

Sunday 14 April

• 4pm: Mid Coast FC v Broadmeadow Magic FC (Taree Zone Field 1)

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• Ryan Campbell: I’m confident Jets’ ALW side can do ‘Newcastle proud’

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