An elected Liberal Nationals Government will help South West Coast community sports clubs to thrive, investing in better facilities and supporting the growth in women’s and junior sport.
Grassroots sports clubs in South West Coast have been left behind by Daniel Andrews. Local clubs are struggling to cater for growing demand, including more participation by women and girls, and desperately need more funding to build better facilities.
Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell 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.
“Grassroots sports are a fun way to stay active and get involved in the community, which is why we want to support clubs to thrive,” Mrs Britnell said.
“There has been plenty of focus on Warrnambool’s Reid Oval in South West Coast, but I’ve been visiting other football and netball grounds, soccer clubs, bowls clubs, BMX tracks and hockey fields right across the electorate that are in a shocking condition.
“Only a Liberal Nationals Government will provide our community sports clubs with the backing they need to get back in control and build the facilities they need to support local population growth.”
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:
• Help clubs in growth areas get back in control and build better sports facilities with a new $30 million Sports Infrastructure for Growing Communities 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
• 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
• Invest $2 million over two years for the Shooting Sports Facilities Fund, which Daniel Andrews and Labor MPs cut in the 2018/19 State Budget
Mrs Britnell said more support for community sports would mean more opportunities to stay active, meet local people and get involved in the community.
“It’s about time that south West Coast sporting clubs – rather than just the AFL – got some support from the state government,” She said.
“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 they can choose the Liberal Nationals who will help South West Coast sport clubs get back in control of the huge demand on their facilities.”
