Apply for sports survival funds

THE application period for the State’s Community Sport Sector COVID-19 Survival Package grants has been extended to Tuesday, 30 June at 11.59pm

Sports and recreation clubs are eligible for $1000, and associations and leagues can potentially receive $15,000.

Earlier in the month, fifteen local clubs including Ballarat Bowling Club, Forest Rangers Soccer Club and Midlands Golf Club were given a $1000 grant as part of the program which will make post-pandemic transitioning and recovery a little easier.

A not-for-profit organisation, Ballarat Football Netball Club was successful last round. Secretary, Kylie Scobie said the money is especially helpful while no fees are coming in, and the community recovers from the impacts of COVID-19 together.

“Our teams are training. There are costs like electricity. We want to do what we can, get seniors and kids back out there training doing what they love and have that community spirit,” she said.

“Any bit of money that we can receive that can go back into the club, help get the kids back out there and enjoying it will always be an advantage.”

Western Croquet Club, Ballarat Pony Club, Ballarat Royals Baseball Club, Brown Hill Cricket Club, North Ballarat Football Club, North Ballarat Junior Football Club, North Ballarat Sports Club, Victoria Bowling Club, Ballarat Field and Game, Buninyong Cricket Club and Lexton Football and Netball Club are also beneficiaries.

Member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle said these sports groups are key social and active hubs in local areas.

The Community Sport Sector COVID-19 Survival Package bundles help pay bills and get kids, and adults, back on fields, courts and greens to play the games they love.

“Ensuring community sport and active recreation organisations survive this crisis and come back better than ever is critical to our economic and social recovery, and to our community’s physical and mental wellbeing,” she said.