Campbelltown Council is set to decline a Macarthur FC request to extend a $2.5 million sponsorship agreement for another five years.
The 2019 sponsorship support meant council was the new football club’s principal community partner, and helped fund initiatives such as the Bulls in Schools program.
However, the agreement expires on June 30 and a report to council says there are no obligations or options to renew or continue the agreement.
The Macarthur FC request for 2024-25 and beyond seeks funding of $500,000 per year for five years, mirroring the 2019 agreement.
Councillors will vote one way or the other at tomorrow night’s meeting, however council officers who have evaluated the funding request recommend that it be rejected.
Some of the reasons for the recommendation are:
The proposal is not centred on the proposed benefits to council and the Campbelltown LGA but rather the broader Macarthur region;
Assessment of the stated benefits to council as outlined in the proposal are not sufficiently aligned with councils objectives;
The reasons for entering the 2019 agreement are not considered applicable to the assessment of this proposal;
Council officers cannot determine the economic benefit, and ‘value for money’ for the Campbelltown community cannot be established;
Council officers cannot determine the non economic benefits to the City of Campbelltown;
Currently, council is exhibiting the draft 2024-25 delivery and operational plans, which present a balanced budget for council expenditure. Several important council activities were not funded as part of the development of the 2024-25 budget, and council does not have the funds to enter into the agreement.
“Having regard to the assessment of the proposal and noting the draft funding priorities in the 2024-25 operational plan and budget endorsed by council for public exhibition, it is recommended that council decline to support the Macarthur Football Club proposal,’’ says the report.
Willing to pour $8.5mil into a library that promotes passive recreation, but not $2.5m over 5 years for kids to get engaged with football, being active and working to reduce childhood obesity.