By Brendan Rees
Nearly $11,000 in grants will be shared by five of City of Casey’s grassroots sporting clubs, the State Government has announced.
Minister for Sport John Eren joined Member for Cranbourne Jude Perera and AFLW Melbourne Demons players at Casey Fields on Thursday, 26 April in announcing funding for the clubs through the Government’s Sporting Club Grants Program.
Clubs include Devon Meadows Junior Football Club ($2,000) for coach training, Casey Comets Soccer Club ($1000) for new uniforms, Cranbourne Bowling Club ($1,000) for new uniforms plus a further $5,000 to redevelop the club’s website, South Sudan Equatorians Association for new soccer uniforms ($1,000) and Cranbourne Southern Stars Sports Club for new netball uniforms ($990).
Mr Eren also officially announced a $5 million investment to upgrade facilities to better support AFLW at Casey’s premier sporting precinct.
Grassroots competitions in the south east were experiencing booming female numbers, he said.
“Whether it’s a new uniform or bringing more footy to Casey Fields, we’re giving grassroots clubs in Casey the support they need to grow their ranks and help more locals than ever play the sports they love.”
Treasurer of the Cranbourne Southern Stars Sports Club Dell Johnson said the grant was a huge relief which would go towards new equipment and uniforms.
“Uniforms are a huge expense. We can provide training venues that aren’t at the cost of the kids, so we can get a lot more people to participate in the sport,” she said.
Cranbourne Liberal candidate Ann-Marie Hermans said the Liberal Nationals would focus on grassroots and community sport, while Daniel Andrews chases an invitation to the Brownlow with a $225 million taxpayer-funded deal with the AFL on Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium.
“It beggars belief that the Labor party think giving a $225 million free kick to the AFL is fair when local sporting clubs in Cranbourne are struggling for basic facilities,” she said.
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley said the funding would keep local sports clubs as strong as possible.
“Supporting grassroots sports and especially engaging young women is just so important and this announcement provides the funding to make dreams happen,” she said.
Also at the announcement was City of Casey Mayor Cr Geoff Ablett who welcomed the funding.
“Through our partnership with Melbourne Football Club, we’re working closely together to increase participation and provide pathways from grassroots to elite levels for local women and girls,” he said.
