Oscar Parry
Four community sports clubs across the Macedon Ranges will receive a state government grant to help boost participation of women and girls in local sport.
Under the Change Our Game Community Activation program, grants of up to $10,000 will go towards programs and initiatives that promote women and girls participation in local sports clubs.
These include participation days, community forums, educational sessions, and discounted club memberships.
Lancefield Football Netball Club grants officer Erin Foster said that the club was absolutely thrilled to receive news of their $9,890 grant.
“To have the ability to promote and grow … knowledge about ALFW in the community and get people involved in the team’s first year is just huge and really important to the ongoing sustainability of the team,” she said.
The club will use the grant to fund a women’s round and six weeks of free skills sessions to women and girls in the community.
Woodend Golf Club will receive $5000 to extend its ‘Women get into Golf’ program, which will help 25 women receive professional golf coaching, discounted club memberships and designated tee off times to allow practice in a safe and welcoming environment.
Club secretary James O’Brien said news of the grant was celebrated after the results of a previous grant from Community Bank Trentham and Districts to the club’s program.
“There were limits to how much the club could do ourselves, so we were pleased to see we were successful in our application for further support,” he said.
“This program is a great way for women to get involved in a golf club, make new friendships and networks, and get the golf bug.”
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said that it is “great to see” local clubs taking up the opportunity to “get more women and girls involved” in community sport.
The Macedon Ranges Tennis Association and Woodend Tennis Club also received grants as part of the program.
