THE growing community at Wallington Recreation Reserve will soon have access to more equipment after winning a grant from the ‘Macca’s On Your Team’ initiative.<\/p>\n
Wallington Cricket Club continues to forge its new identity coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Wallabies will receive $1,500 thanks to McDonald’s.<\/p>\n
Wallington Cricket president Marc Occhipinti said the club has grown into a program boasting three men’s sides, two women’s sides, 140 children and two Under 11 squads since the start of the pandemic, stretching resources pretty thin as a result.<\/p>\n
“Being a community club, we run kind of lean, there’s not much money to throw around,” Occhipinti said.<\/p>\n
“It is important for organisations like McDonald’s to step out into community sport, it allows clubs like us to deliver extra programs.<\/p>\n
“We’re very appreciate for what McDonald’s has provided the club, as well as other businesses helping other clubs to make sport more accessible to others.”<\/p>\n
The $1,500 donated by McDonald’s will be put towards a new kit bag for one the club’s teams, generally valued between $1,500 and $2,000.<\/p>\n
Vice president John Dunstan said all grants help the club, with every dollar accelerating Wallington through its five-year plan.<\/p>\n
“We’re about a year in front of where we want to be right now with the plan to grow our junior foundations even,” Dunstan said.<\/p>\n
“Expanding into a full Under 11’s cohort, then into Under 13 and Under 15. It’s probably a bit early to be thinking that far ahead, but in that time, we hope to have a fourth men’s side and a third women’s side.<\/p>\n
“We’d also love a full junior girls side too.”<\/p>\n
McDonald’s Market Director for Victoria and Tasmania, Kelly Nardella, said McDonald’s is proud to play an active role in local communities and support organisations that make a positive difference to the lives of Australians.<\/p>\n
“The grants are designed to help sporting clubs continue to offer accessible, inclusive and safe programs to members of the local community,” Ms Nardella said.<\/p>\n
“Whether it’s purchasing new equipment or renovating the club’s facilities, we look forward to seeing the positive impact these grants can have.”<\/p>\n
Wallington sides expect to be competing on their home wicket again in the next fortnight, following heavy rain in recent weeks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE growing community at Wallington Recreation Reserve will soon have access to more equipment after winning a grant from the ‘Macca’s On Your Team’ initiative. Wallington Cricket Club continues to forge its new identity coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Wallabies will receive $1,500 thanks to McDonald’s. Wallington Cricket president Marc Occhipinti said […]<\/p>\n