Geraldton sporting clubs and athletes get boost

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A total of 16 local sporting clubs are the recipients of a one-off $500 subsidy in the first round of the Community Sporting Club Equipment Subsidy Scheme. The new $2million Supporting Community Sport initiative gives regional sporting clubs a $500 subsidy to be spent on increasing or upgrading shared sporting equipment which is accessible to all club members.

The initiative is being delivered by the Department of Sport and Recreation, funded by the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program.

Geraldton-based recipients of the $500 equipment subsidy are:

  • Casuals Swans Hockey Club
  • Chapman Valley Football Club
  • Geraldton Amateur Swimming Club
  • Geraldton and District Badminton Association
  • Geraldton Croquet Club
  • Geraldton Tennis Club
  • Greenough Archery Club
  • Hawks Basketball Club
  • Martians Softball Club
  • Midwest Practical Pistol
  • Olympians Basketball Club
  • Railways Basketball Club
  • Rovers Cardinals Hockey Club
  • Towns Football Club
  • Trades Basketball Club
  • Yacht Club Hockey Club

”More people are taking part in local sport and recreation clubs in the regions, so the funds help ensure equipment can be provided to keep pace with the growing demand,” Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney said.

“And it’s also important for equipment to be kept up-to-date, in good condition and safe for play.”

In other sporting news, 10 local athletes will reap the benefits of the State Government funded Athlete Travel Subsidy Scheme that supports talented regional athletes who are keen to pursue regional, state and national representation.

The Athlete Travel Subsidy Scheme is also part of the $2million Supporting Community Sport initiative with the first round recipients announced this week.

Mr Blayney said regional athletes and sporting clubs are reaping the benefits of the two new State Government funded schemes helping athletes pursue their sporting dreams and boosting the equipment stocks of local clubs.

He said the 10 local athletes had received financial assistance to travel to sporting events.

“This is a fantastic initiative which is helping sports at a grassroots level. It’s making it financially possible for kids to travel to sporting events that they might not have been able to, and giving local sporting clubs the opportunity to upgrade their equipment,” Mr Blayney said.

“This means more support for people participating in sport and recreation in the Geraldton region, which, as we know, has an array of benefits.”

The athletes and the sport they will represent are:

  • Chloe Little (Vasic) – Yachting Western Australia’s Laser State Titles;
  • Soren Pidgeon - Yachting Western Australia’s Pelican State Titles;
  • Elizabeth Middleton – Hockey WA’s U15 Girls State Squad Training (outdoor);
  • Kacie Crabb - Polocrosse Association of WA National Championships State Selection Carnivals;
  • Tennille Crabb – Polocrosse Association of WA National Championships State Selection Carnivals;
  • Angus Dufour – WA Squash State Training Camp and Tournament;
  • Brianna Short – WA Swimming Association State Swimming Championships;
  • Jonty Calder - Westcycle Incorporated 2014 Australian MTB National Championships;
  • Brayden King – Hockey WA National Championships;
  • Dylan Myers – WA Basketball Federation U/18 Australian Junior Championships.