The Singleton Roosters AFL club says a multimillion-dollar expansion is a "dream come true", as its players take to the field for the first time since the Hunter Valley bus crash

The state government has promised $1.7 million for the expansion, which will include a permanent memorial to acknowledge the 10 people who lost their lives in the tragedy. Five of them were members of the club. 

The announcement was made on the day the club's men's and women's side returned to their field for the first time since the June, 11 crash. 

NSW Premier Chris Minns, who attended the games, said it was great to see the Roosters back on the field after a "very devastating" time.

"I want the people of Singleton to know that we're there for them and we will rebuild with them in the coming years and it's been wonderful to see the community in the Hunter come together to battle what has been a devastating last few months."

'We are a family'

Singleton Roosters president Dylan Hixon said the expansion of the club was a "dream come true".

"Before this happened, this was something we wanted to push and this is all we wanted to help juniors, help the female team come through and help our male team and just build as a club," he said.

"We are a family here and we lost parts of our family and that's really hard for myself and all of us as a club."

Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell, who represents the community of Singleton, said today marked a step forward in the recovery from the trauma of recent weeks.

"With the team out on the field, the town will heal around them," he said.

"Having the premier with this announcement for the club house so we can boost it in the future, it may not bring those people back, it may not heal that pain that we all share, but it certainly will give us a focus for the healing into the future."

The expansion will be jointly funded with the AFL and Singleton Council. 

It will include new change rooms, umpire areas, a scorer's box and internal renovations to upgrade the kiosk, kitchen and meeting room. 

AFL NSW ACT head Tiffany Robertson said the expansion would ensure Singleton remained a strong community for footballers, and the team's return to the field was a "hard, but important" step.

"I hope the new amenities, when finished will help further unite this tight-knit club … ensuring that the club continues to be a great place to play sport, to form friendships, to have fun and to remember those great characters that are so much a part of the spirit of this club," she said.

The state government also hoped it would support the development of AFL in the Hunter by creating a venue that can host future regional tournaments. 

Ongoing fund-raising efforts

In a footy-mad region like the Hunter, clubs of all codes have been rallying around the Roosters.

In the week following the tragedy, clubs held fundraisers and memorials at weekend fixtures.

The Newcastle Knights NRL men's team is holding an online memorabilia auction with signed boots and jerseys for sale. Monday July, 17 is the last day that bids will  be taken.

"These iconic pieces of Knights memorabilia will be auctioned off to the public, giving you the chance to own a unique treasure while making a significant impact," the club said on its website.

The highest bid in the auction, which closes on Monday, July 17 at 5pm, is currently for captain Kalyn Ponga's custom made red and blue boots, at more than $2,500.

Proceeds will be added to a fundraiser managed by Rotary Australia, which topped $1 million in donations earlier this month.