Sport
5 July, 2024
Local clubs score funds
THE Allan Labor Government is backing Western Victorian sporting clubs to break down barriers to participation and get more community members involved in local sport, including clubs within the Corangamite Shire.
Labor Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney recently announced the four successful recipients from Western Victoria of the Sporting Club Grants Program.
The latest round of the program is providing more than 400 grants to clubs right across the state.
The Sporting Club Grants Program provides grants to clubs for uniforms and equipment to improve accessibility and engagement, projects which strengthen volunteering and officiating, new sport or recreation programs to inspire more people to get involved, and support for athlete travel to competitions.
Within the Corangamite Shire, three clubs received funding under the grants program.
One recipient was the Corangamite Hockey Club, who received $960 to support their Ladies Dressed to Win program.
Corangamite Hockey Club president Kylie Spokes said it was “terrific” for the women’s hockey team to receive the support from the State Government.
“We’re very excited,” she said.
“We feel very well-supported, and we’re in the process of working out the design of the new tops.
“It’s a bit more complicated than we first thought because there’s a number of other teams in the Hockey South West competition, so we have to make sure we get a non-clashing top. That’s what we’re in the process of doing.
“This is their second year in the competition in Warrnambool, and last year they used an unused set of tops that Hockey South West were able to lend them.”
Ms Spokes said the Corangamite Lakers women’s hockey team have been “doing well”, with the team securing a number of local sponsors.
“We felt it was important for them as a team to have an identity and their own uniform, so we applied for the grant,” she said.
“We’ve got a mix of women playing – experienced hockey players coming back to hockey, some adult women who are trying hockey for the first time, and then we’ve got a few of our teenage girls who are either aged out of the junior coemption or very close to it.
“They play on a Saturday afternoon, and they’re really enjoying the completion, and it’s a competitive but supportive competition.”
Heytesbury Princetown Storm Cricket Club has been awarded $1000, which will be used to acquire new playing balls for both their junior and senior teams.
Meanwhile, Derrinallum Yacht and Power Boat Club will utilize their $1000 grant to buy life jackets.
Since 2015 the Sporting Club Grants Program has invested more than $16.7 million to support thousands of community sport and recreation clubs across the state, helping grow grassroots sport and recreation and ensuring clubs have the skills and resources they need to succeed.
Ms Tierney said community sports played a “vital role” in fostering values of teamwork, discipline and resilience.
“The grants will support a wide range of sports programs, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background or ability, has the chance to participate and excel,” she said.
“From new team uniforms to coaching programs, the Sporting Club Grants Program is giving sports clubs in Western Victoria the resources they need to encourage every-
one to get involved in grassroots sport.
“I congratulate our latest batch of grant recipients, and look forward to seeing a new generation of local champions get their chance to take their sport to the next level”
For more information on the grants and a full list of recipients visit sport.vic.gov.au.
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