Local sports clubs share in million dollar fund

Emerald Tennis Club will receive part of $1.2 million as one of the 740 clubs. (Supplied)

Hundreds of sports clubs across the state are set to share in $1.2 million after funding was announced last week.

Community Sport minister Ros Spence announced on Wednesday 11 December that 875 grants will go to more than 740 clubs from the Sporting Club Grants Program.

“This is a major boost for clubs across the state – we’re making sure clubs have the skills and equipment they need to thrive, and get more people involved,” she said.

“We want our local sporting clubs to be backing the next generation of local champions – and these grants provide them the chance to do just that.”

These grants support clubs to purchase uniforms and equipment, upskill volunteers, coaches and officials, and improve their accessibility and engagement with local communities.

Successful clubs include Monbulk Cricket Club, Olinda Ferny Creek Junior Football Club, Doongala Adult Riding Club, Geocaching Victoria, Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club, Eastern All Abilities Netball, Golden Cobra Martial Arts, Special Olympics Melbourne Eastern Ranges, The Basin Cricket Club, Upper Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, Upwey Ferntree Gully Baseball Club, Boronia Calisthenics College, Indoor Sports Victoria, Knox Boronia Cricket Club and Emerald Tennis Club.

Clubs from across the Yarra Ranges were also successful with Healesville District Soccer Club, Upper Yarra Pony Club, Lilydale Rats Inline Hockey Club, Chirnside Park Football Club and Powelltown Cricket Club just some of the recipients.

The Sporting Club Grants Program has provided more than $18 million to thousands of community sport and recreation clubs across the state over the past decade.