The Kinglake Ranges Tennis Club has been hit hard by the bushfires but Club President Craig Seckold says funds allocated through a VicHealth Active Club grant will help the club reach out to the local community.
The tennis club is one of almost 600 clubs and active recreation organisations across Victoria that is receiving funds under the scheme, which aims to increase participation in sport and active recreation.
Announcing the recipients of this year’s grants today, VicHealth Chief Executive Officer Todd Harper says that by providing funds for essential sporting equipment, sports injury prevention equipment, portable shade or volunteer training, the Active Club grants are a practical way to encourage more Victorians to get active.
Craig Seckold agrees. “We’ll use the funds to provide shade for players and their friends and families,” he explains. “We’ve lost our clubrooms at another site and so it’s even more important that we create a meeting place for residents at the Kinglake Ranges Tennis Club. We think improvements to the club environment will help make the club a meeting place and that’s what we really need as we rebuild our community.”
A wide range of sporting codes and clubs will benefit from these grants which this year total $1.1 million, including the Springvale and Districts Netball Association. Association Secretary Julie Pool says the funds will go towards accreditation training for umpires and coaches.
“Our umpires and coaches are volunteers and it’s great to offer them additional skills in the sport, as a way of recognising their commitment. The accreditation courses provide greater knowledge and give our officials more confidence when they’re working with players,” Mrs Pool explains.
According to Mr Harper, these grants can make a considerable difference to a club and its ability to reach out to more people.
“VicHealth is particularly keen to encourage sporting clubs and organisations to engage more Indigenous Australians, new arrivals, people with disabilities and those living in low socio-economic communities,” explains Mr Harper.
“Research shows that disadvantaged groups are more likely to be overweight or obese and to suffer chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes or heart disease. Increased physical activity offers considerable protection against some of these conditions.”
For more information click on www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/activeclub
For more information on successful recipients in regional Victoria, contact your local Regional Sports Assembly.