Oliver Lees
Hume council has awarded $81,254 in grants to 43 sporting clubs across the municipality to ease the financial burden of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Sporting Uniforms and Equipment Grants Program was open to all community sporting clubs to apply for grants valued up to $2000 for uniforms and equipment.
Councillor Chris Hollow said the pandemic has had a significant impact on sports right across Hume.
“Being in the midst of our sixth lockdown means community sport can’t take place and… boys, girls, men and women can’t experience all of the health and wellbeing benefits of taking part in physical activity,” Cr Hollow said.
“I’m really proud of council’s commitment to community sport and I hope that all clubs will reap the benefits of the funding that they will receive.”
Clubs were awarded grants from an array of sporting codes, including soccer, football, basketball, bowls and more.
Sunbury United Cricket Club vice-president Daniel Furnell said it was “fantastic news” that his club had received $2000 to purchase playing shirts for junior players.
“It’ll definitely cover the costs of the playing shirts for our junior players, so that’s a massive help,” Mr Furnell said.
Sunbury United was only able to field two junior sides last season, with a total of 24 registered players, less than half of the 60 kids that signed up in previous years.
The Sunbury and District Table Tennis Association (SDTTA) was another beneficiary of the funding scheme, with the club receiving $1979 in funding for equipment.
SDTTA president Michael Delaveris said the funding could be the missing link in the club’s hopes to launch a junior coaching program.
“That’ll be very helpful when we’re able to get going again,” he said.
“We’re hoping to cover the costs of coaching for junior players, so this might even give us an opportunity to buy bats for them as well.
“The timing couldn’t be better.”
