Tuesday, 7 April 2026
Spectators at the Glen Innes Elks home fixtures will now have somewhere to sit and enjoy the spectacle with Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan delivering funding for new seating.
Mr Moylan secured $15,860 for the club to purchase grandstand seats through the Local Sport Grant Program.
The Elks have around 50 to 60 players and field a men’s and a women’s team in the New England Rugby Union competition, which begins with a Glen Innes home game against the Barbarians on 18 April.
“The Glen Innes Elks have a long and proud history in the New England competition, but their facilities are aging and there’s currently nowhere for their supporters to sit during games,” Mr Moylan said.
“The committee are enthusiastic about ensuring the club is brought up to date so, by delivering this funding and giving spectators somewhere to sit while enjoying Elks games, is a step in the right direction.
“Hopefully having seats increases attendance at the Elks home fixtures and adds to that community connection our sporting clubs enjoy.”
Elks treasurer Tom Benton said the club has a host of plans for upgrades to the facilities at the home ground to better the gameday experience, and the new seating is a start.
“The committee of the club have a shared vision of upgrades and improvements we think will benefit the club immensely,” he said.
“This funding is the first step on our way to making this vision become a reality.
“Currently when spectators come to watch at our ground they’re required to either stand or sit on the ground. This is uncomfortable for families and rules out a lot of the elderly.
“As such this grant will allow us to better cater to a wide range of people who want to come and watch the games, making for a more family friendly and welcoming environment to our club.”
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Photo caption: Glen Innes Elks treasurer Tom Benton, Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan and Elks president Steve Daley welcome funding for new seating at the Elks’ home ground.