MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education)
I’d like to update the house on the Andrews Labor government’s community sport sector COVID-19 survival package. Local sport clubs are close to the heart of regional communities as they provide fun, fitness and social connection.
We need local clubs to survive the pandemic and to come back better than ever. Community sport is too important to both the physical and mental wellbeing of people across Victoria, whether they play footy or netball, compete in karate or calisthenics, or swim or ride for fun.
I know regional clubs are doing it tough. Fundraising is extremely difficult, and membership is down. I’m so glad we’ve been able to help almost 800 clubs in Western Victoria with a $1000 survival grant.
I thank the administrators who are working hard to keep their local sport and recreation leagues going too. We are assisting local associations and leagues, such as the Colac & District Cricket Association and the Corangamite Bowls Division, with funding to help meet fixed costs and ensure they remain viable.
We are also boosting clubs through the community sports infrastructure stimulus program. One of the 27 projects in this program is the Inverleigh Sporting Complex, which will get new and improved change rooms and amenities including first aid, massage and storage spaces.
The facility will provide a perfect base for Inverleigh Football Netball Club and Inverleigh Cricket Club to develop programs, train, host games and events.
This investment will help grassroots sports communities get back in the game when the time is right.