A large number of clubs in the City of Casey are set to receive funding after being successful applicants on the State Government’s Sporting Club Grants Program.
The 2023-2024 program, which closed on 20 March this year saw 27 different clubs supported throughout four categories in two different rounds, which included their on-field uniforms or equipment, volunteers and officials, access and engagement and competitors.
According to the state government’s website on the program, providing access to this funding “helps grassroots clubs and organisations address barriers in participation, develop safe and sustainable practices and build social and active local communities”.
Round one, category one provided up to $1000 to purchase on-field playing uniforms, participation equipment for competitors and active participants, for safety, injury prevention and first-aid equipment.
For this category, the following clubs received funding:
1) Berwick Bowling Club
2) Berwick City Soccer Club
3) Berwick Cricket Club
4) Casey Tongan Pickleball Club
5) Doveton North Cricket Club
6) Epsicon Sports Club
7) Kotaitanga Netball Melbourne
8) Melbourne Crickeroos
9) Melbourne Flash Sports Club
10) Phoenix Archery Club
11) Southern Diamonds Netball Club
12) The Hills Netball Club
The second category in the first round saw up to $2000 for projects that provide practical improvements to strengthen volunteering and officiating in clubs, and the following clubs were successful recipients:
1) Doveton Soccer Club
2) Endeavour Hills Junior Football Club
3) Fountain Gate Junior Football Club
The third category focused on assisting with funding for tools and resources that improve accessibility, governance and strengthening engagement with members and participants, for which funding was up to $1000.
The other option for this category included up to $4000 to plan and deliver a new sport or active recreation program.
While not disclosed which option was picked, the only club in the council that was under this category was the HSC BLUES AUS.
The fourth and final category saw up to $750 towards the cost of travel, accommodation and even registration fees for individual athletes who have been selected to attend representative competitions, selection trials or training camps.
The Knox City Mavericks were the only club to receive the funding in this category and round.
In the second round, category one recipients were:
1) Ballers Haven Basketball Club Incorporated
2) Casey Cardinia Athletics Inc
3) Casey Hockey Club
4) Cranbourne United Soccer Club
5) Narre North Foxes Netball Club
6) Narre Warren South Scout Group
7) Regency Callisthenic College
8) St Mina Hallam Scouts
There were no clubs in the council that received any funding for categories two and three in the second round, but two clubs, the Khalsa Lions Inc and Melbourne Handball Incorporated received funding for the fourth category.