News

Sport and Recreation | October 22, 2018

Record funding for grassroots sports

An elected Liberal Nationals Government will help community sports clubs in Lowan to thrive, investing in better facilities and supporting the growth in women’s and junior sport.

Grassroots sports clubs in Lowan have been left behind by Daniel Andrews and local clubs are struggling to cater for growing demand, including increased participation by women and girls, and desperately need more funding to build better facilities.

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy said only a Liberal Nationals Government will provide the support clubs and volunteers need to get back in control of their stretched resources, with a record $195 million Grassroots Sport Revival Fund.

The centrepiece of this record investment in suburban and country sports is the $89 million Grassroots Sport Fund to fix and upgrade local sports facilities.

An elected Liberal Nationals Government will also:

• Boost investment in country football and netball and expand funding to include local cricket clubs, with a $15 million injection to the Country Football, Netball and Cricket Fund
• Ensure women and girls have the facilities they need to get involved through the $20 million Women in Sport Facilities Fund
• Open up schools and other state government owned land for community sport use through a $39 million Sports Ground Investment Package

“Grassroots sports are a fun way to stay active and get involved in the community, which is why we want to help our local clubs thrive,” Ms Kealy said.

“It’s about time that our local sporting clubs – rather than just the AFL – got some support from the state government.

“Victorians will have a clear choice at this election.  They can choose Labor who throws buckets of money at rich elite sports like the AFL, or the Liberal Nationals who will help local sport clubs get back in control.”

The announcement builds on a number of election commitments made by the Liberal Nationals over recent weeks including $600,000 for Nhill’s Davis Park.

“Only a Liberal Nationals Government will deliver a better deal for our community sporting clubs and provide the backing they need to get back in control and build the facilities they need,” Ms Kealy said.