The funding pledge was announced by Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson at the 2019 Maitland FC junior season launch on Wednesday night.

Ms Swanson said if elected Labor would invest $1 million  to upgrade Cooks Square Park to put the Magpies at the expected standard of a National Premier League club, cater for female participation and facilitate players with disability.

The project includes a new building with amenities, a club room, change sheds, referees room, equipment room and canteen, along with a suspended roof to provide a raised viewing area for spectators.

Ms Swanson was joined by state Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison who provided key assistance in helping to secure $180,000 in state and local governments grants to undertake playing surface updgrades, new pitch fencing and other improvements at Cook Square Park over the summer.

Ms Swanson acknowledged the Maitland FC board’s professionalism, positive club culture and community engagement in helping her to establish priority funding for the project.

“Since I was elected in 2016, Cooks Square Park has been one of my priorities for Maitland. I’ve spoken with several groups about the grounds and I’m continuously told the club doesn’t have the facilities to reach it’s potential,” she said.

“I put the case very strongly to the Labor Party, and thanks to the tireless work of the Magpies community and my state colleague, the Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison, I am so proud to announce a Shorten Labor Government has committed $1 million to fully fund stage one of the two-part upgrades to Cooks Square Park.”

The Coalition government has yet to announce a candidate for the seat of Paterson, but the Magpies will be hopeful that they can secure a similar funding pledge from them.

Maitand FC president Ray Watkins said everyone at the club was delighted to hear that Ms Swanson had been able to achieve the funding commitment from her party.

Watkins said $180,000 in grants at the latter part of last year had brought the playing surface and immediate surrounds including fencing up to a very high standard.

He said the club planned to provide great facilities for their players but also a family club culture for them to develop in.

"We introduced our under-9 and 10 SAP players at this year's launch  and we would love to see them playing for our senior teams in the next decade.

"There is now the opportunity to start as Magpies and finish as Magpies right through the ranks."