Hopes are high that Delungra will host the NSW Yard Dog Trials in 2018 after the NSW Government approved funding to install a new permanent set of yards for dog trial events.

Delungra Sports Ground is already on the state’s official dog trial calendar with the Delungra Yard Dog Championships held there each year.

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said the event’s organisers previously had to beg and borrow all the panelling, transport it to the grounds, build the yards and then when the event is over, pull it all down and return the panelling to the donors. But the recently secured $15,000 grant means a permanent set of yards can now be built.

Delungra Recreation Reserve Trustee Jill Brown said the job of erecting the yards each year was labour intensive and they were thrilled with the prospect of making the yards a permanent feature of the grounds.

“We are hoping to stage the NSW Yard Dog Trials in Delungra next year and since we will have permanent yards, we will feel a lot more confident about applying to the event,” Mrs Brown said.