Club treasurer Manual Meszaros said the funds will go a long way to improving the fields.

“It’s a lot of money for the rugby club. We can do a lot of fundraising and so forth, but at the end of the day, without government support and grants like that to help us, well, it gives us the ability to do things that we dream of,” Mr Meszaros said.

He said the club would match the funding to improve spectator access between fields one and two.

“Currently a lot of the visitors, if they want to watch a game, have got to walk up a very steep slope. When it’s wet there are people just falling over all the time,” Mr Meszaros said.

“We’re looking at getting proper access to it. We’re looking at retaining walls, concrete paths, steps and ramps and things. It gives spectators better access to field one, and also gives the ability to develop field two as well.”

Mr Meszaros said the ultimate plan was to be able to have three fields running together.

“This earthworks is basically a long-term goal to get a 1000-seat grandstand happening as well. So for us, it will really attract the national types of games, where they need the three fields to train on,” he said. 

Mr Meszaros said there had been inquiries from schools wanting to use Rugby Park, and larger grounds with a larger grandstand would make the venue more attractive.

“The future of the club really is in being part of the community and being a multi-use complex,” he said

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said the facilities would also be improved as a community event venue

“It allows the club also to get further down the line on its future upgrade plans as well, which I am very interested in and hopefully we can provide some more financial assistance further on down the track,” Mr Marshall said.

“The grounds are used for other events throughout the years, including the annual 4x4 expo, festivals, sporting events and the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life, so the improvements will be appreciated by many.”