Local sports clubs receive survival grants

SEVERAL local sporting clubs received confirmation last week they would be receiving $1,000 from the state government’s Community Sport Sector COVID-19 Survival Package

The $40 million package has recently closed to new applicants. It aimed to provide clubs and associations across the state with financial support to help with the financial hardships caused by the coronavirus.

Mt Duneed Pony Club was one of the clubs to receive $1,000 from the package. Club president Kylie Splatt said while the grant was not a huge amount, their lack of income at present meant any funds were very valuable.

“It is better than nothing; it’s great.

“We had a big event booked for the end of May that we couldn’t run. It had been our focus and would have hopefully given us enough money to keep going for the year.

“We missed out on that, so the $1,000 will be put towards our insurances and our utilities and those sorts of costs that we have no matter whether we’re running or not.”

Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club was another recipient of the grant. The club’s finance manager Melissa Field said the new clubhouse had made sourcing external funds particularly crucial.

“There’s a lot of additional running costs for the building that we won’t have incurred previously; for example, a much, much bigger insurance bill. So all the grants will be going to the additional running costs of the new building.

“We’re really hoping we can continue to run our events over summer. A swim and our run are pretty key fundraising activities, so we’re hopeful we can get those away.”

The Community Sport Sector COVID-19 Survival Package is part of the state government’s $1.7 billion Experience Economy Survival Package.

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said helping the clubs also helped the broader community.

“Sports clubs are an integral part of our community and the Victorian Government is ensuring that they have the support to get through this difficult time.”

Other clubs to receive the grant include Surf Coast Football Club, Armstrong United Football Club, Waurn Ponds Deakin Cricket Club, Geelong Archers, Barwon Soccer Club, Geelong Sharks Swimming Club, Grovedale Tennis Club, Torquay Bowls Club, and Geelong Netball Club.