In a continuation of the “is Wollongong regional or not” debate, the Wollongong MP claims the areas sporting teams have been declared ineligible to apply for both urban and regional sports funds.

Mr Scully pointed to the $100 million Greater Sydney Sports Facility Fund, stating Wollongong could not apply for a share.

This is on top of the fact the Wollongong LGA is also ineligible for the Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund.

READ MORE: Just give us a ‘region’ why

“It’s just staggering, this is taking the whole regional-metropolian debate to a whole new low,” Mr Scully said.

“We’re literally in no man’s land.

“There’s $200 million floating around in these combined funds and no-one in the Wollongong LGA can submit an application.”

Mr Scully said it was time a third level of funding allocations was created that recognises the large regional centres such as Wollongong.

READ MORE: Call for clarity over “regional” funding

“The Premier once said she wanted her government remembered for making sure every part of every community benefitted from the prosperity of NSW yet she excludes Wollongong from even applying,” he said.

“This has become farcical – we are sometimes regional, we are sometimes metropolitan, but this time we have been left out altogether.”

A spokeswoman from the NSW Office of Sport said the government used Australian Bureau of Statistics data to determine eligibility for regional and metropolitan funding grant categories.

The spokeswoman added that the Wollongong area had received sports funding in the past.

“Major investments in sporting infrastructure include $5.4 million to upgrade WIN Stadium’s northern stand at Wollongong as well as $150,000 invested in local clubs across Wollongong in Local Sport Grants since 2015,” she said.

“Sporting clubs across the Illawarra are encouraged to apply for Local Sport Grants, Community Building Partnership Grants and Club Grants.”