FOOTBALL
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The "home of football" complex at West Dapto could be resurrected if the NSW government's proposed sale of poles and wires is completed.
If elected, the Coalition plans to begin selling off the state's electricity assets, which is expected to provide a $20 billion windfall for infrastructure projects statewide.
It is hoped Illawarra football's dream complex could get a portion of the sale proceeds and put an end to the decade-long wait for a place to call home.
The complex was denied almost $15 million in funding from the state and federal governments in December 2013.
An application for a $7.8 million share of the $100 million Port lease fund came up short and a $7.4 million allocation from Labor's Regional Development Australia Fund fell through after the party failed to win the federal election.
The NSW government's proposed sale could provide the sport with its next chance to secure funding.
Member for Kiama Gareth Ward said he would "strongly support" any application for funding for the complex.
"I'll always champion projects which benefit my electorate and this is certainly one of those," Mr Ward said.
In recent times, football has continued to boast the highest registration numbers of any sport in the region but remains without a centre to call its own.
While registration figures for the 2015 season are yet to be finalised, it seems increasingly likely that junior and senior grounds around the region will again be bursting at the seams.
The West Dapto project could help ease the load.
"It is certainly a high-priority project in terms of sporting context," Mr Ward said.
"Soccer and futsal are becoming very popular, particularly with young families, because there are some parents who are concerned about contact sport.
"More and more, particularly with Australia's Asian Cup success, it is growing in popularity.
"We need to make sure we provide centres of excellence ... I would be more than happy to continue to lend my support for these fantastic facilities."
The complex is also considered a "priority" with Football NSW, which has put forward a proposal to the Department of Sport and Recreation.
It would include four fields, an amenities block and all-weather synthetic pitch, which could house the region's elite teams such as South Coast Wolves and Illawarra Stingrays.