Clubs get their gear wishes granted

SPORTS clubs in western Victoria are among 512 grassroots sports clubs across Victoria sharing in $815,000 in state government grants to boost their equipment, skills and administration expertise.

Last week, Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney announced the 33 clubs that had successfully applied for funding in the first round of the state government’s 2018-19 Sporting Club Grants Program.

The grants provide clubs up to $1,000 for new uniforms and equipment, up to $2,000 for training coaches, officials and volunteers, and up to $5,000 to improve operational effectiveness.

Local clubs to benefit include:

• Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club – $5,000 to develop the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club Strategic Plan 2020-25
• Barrabool Cricket Club – $1,000 for new playing shirts
• Birregurra Cricket Club – $1,000 to purchase new SunSmart shirts
• Forrest Cricket Club – $863 to purchase new playing uniforms
• Polwarth & District Tennis Association – $1,000 for new sports equipment, and
• Torquay Bowls Club – $1,000 for new sports equipment.

Since coming to office, including this latest round of funding, Labor says it has provided more than 3,200 Sporting Club Grants to clubs across the state, totalling more than $4.4 million.

“From new team uniforms to coaching programs, the Sporting Club Grants Program is giving grassroots sports clubs in Western Victoria the support they need to grow their ranks and help more people than ever play the sports they love,” Ms Tierney said.

“Our local sport and recreation clubs do a fantastic job and are usually run on the smell of an oily rag, so I know these funds will be appreciated.

“I want to place on record my thanks and admiration for all those people throughout our community who give so generously of their time to run our local clubs.”