Three community sports clubs in Junee are sharing in $16,297 from the NSW Government’s Sports Grants program.
The Member for Cootamundra today announced the Junee Rugby League Football Club had been awarded $5,000 to subsidise registration fees for ladies league tag and for uniforms, the Junee Golf Club had received $5,297 for a new mid-course shelter, and the Junee Junior Netball Association will be resurfacing the court at St Joseph’s Hall thanks to a $6,000 grant.
Steph Cooke MP said the grants were well-deserved by the three clubs.
“Sport is part of what makes Junee such a fantastic place to live. While we haven’t been able to come together to play and watch our favourite games recently, our wonderful clubs have been working away in the background,” Ms Cooke said.
“These grants are a fantastic recognition of their work and will be a boost for the entire community.”
Katrina Halliburton from the Junee Rugby League Football Club said the grant would help bring more women in to league tag, and benefit the whole club.
“Receiving this funding is exceptional, with the drought hitting and when finances get tight sport is the first thing people throw away. People can’t afford it. The endorphins you get from playing sport and that energy is so important for mental health,” Ms Halliburton said.
“This funding is going to be great. It’s going to subsidise the women’s registration and get jackets for them because it is bitterly cold playing a winter sport!”
Robert Vergano from the Junee Junior Netball Association said the grant would help them encourage more players to the sport.
“When I got the call it was so exciting and this is really great for the girls,” Mr Vergano said.
“This is going to save us $10,000 for the club which is money that we can put straight back in to our girls, their uniforms and hopefully free registration for them to play netball.”
Terrence Trinca from the Junee Golf Club said he was extremely pleased to have secured funding for the multi-purpose course shelter.
“We’re absolutely rapt. This shed will be used for everything from a storm shelter for golfers to a spot where emergency vehicles can attend,” Mr Trinca said
“The shed will also be able to have solar panels to help power our pump house, it has been made to withstand 600kgs on the roof and has a cyclone rating too!”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said Regional NSW will benefit from more than $2 million in grants for local communities.
“Drought, bushfires and now the COVID-19 pandemic have created significant uncertainty for sport in NSW, particularly in regional areas,” Mr Barilaro said.
“People in the bush love sport and this money will be a massive boost for regional sporting organisations, which not only help our communities stay active and healthy but also perform a vital role keeping people connected.”
The Local Sport Grants Program awards sporting organisations up to $20,000 for projects which focus on development and participation, access and facility development.
“We are all looking forward to seeing community sport return to normal when it is safe to do so and this money will provide vital funds to help organisations be ready to resume as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted,” Mr Barilaro said.
For further information visit: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/localsport
