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Labor government supports Wellington Shire sports clubs with grants to enhance accessibility, skills, and equipment for local communities

The Allan Labor government is supporting 16 Wellington Shire sports clubs with grants for equipment, coach training, and increased community engagement, promoting broader participation in local sports across the region.

By news@gippsland - 13th December 2024 - Back to News

The Allan Labor government is backing Wellington Shire sport clubs with grants to help more people get involved in the sports they love. Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh today announced that 16 different sports clubs within the Wellington Shire would be included among the 740 clubs statewide, sharing in more than $1.2 million from the Sporting Club Grants Program. These grants support clubs to purchase uniforms and equipment, upskill volunteers, coaches and officials, and improve their accessibility and engagement with local communities.

Tom McIntosh announces sixteen Wellington Shire sports clubs will share over $1.2 million in grants to improve equipment, coaching, and community engagement

Boosting club resources

East Gippsland Calisthenics Club, based at Sale, will receive $2,320 for training to upskill and qualify their coaches. Rosedale Kilmany Cricket Club will be able to buy padding for its cricket nets, thanks to $1000 provided through the fund, and the Heyfield Basketball Association will receive $1000 to buy new uniforms.

The Sporting Club Grants Program has provided more than $18 million to thousands of community sport and recreation clubs across the state over the past decade. For more information on the grants and a full list of recipients, visit Sport and Recreation Victoria website.

Supporting local clubs

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said, "This is a major boost for clubs across the state - we're making sure clubs have the skills and equipment they need to thrive, and get more people involved. We want our local sporting clubs to be backing the next generation of local champions - and these grants provide them the chance to do just that."

Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh said, "From basketball uniforms to tennis balls, first aid kits, and cricket net padding, local sporting clubs are able to upgrade thanks to these grants. Sports clubs are deeply important to our regional population, and the clubs and athletes will appreciate the new equipment and skills."

Expanding coaching capacity

East Gippsland Calisthenics Club Secretary Alexandra Otzen said, "We are delighted to receive this funding to allow us to train more Coaches for our Club. All our coaches have to train in Melbourne which already adds a financial burden, so this is essential to our community to help during the cost-of-living crisis."

"As we expand from two team age groups in 2024 to 4 age groups in 2025, with another 13 solo performance weekly training sessions, it is essential for our Club and our members that we have the Coach capacity to support our participants in the way they want to engage in our sport, without having to push an increased financial burden onto our families."

"This funding will increase our coaching capacity from two coaches to seven, and allows us to target more age groups, and more community programs in the future - a win for our club and a win for our community," said Ms Otzen.

Pictures from Tom McIntosh MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com