Brimbank sports clubs have an influx of new talent after 1000 children from financially struggling families were given a chance to play sport.
Brimbank council’s In2Sport initiative provides up to $200 to cover club fees for children aged six to 18 whose families have health-care or pension concession cards.
The 1000th application came from Sunshine Heights Junior Soccer Club, one of nine soccer clubs involved in the program.
So far, about 100 children have signed up to the club for this season, including 12 for the girls’ team, 13 for the under-sevens’ squad and 16 for the under-13s.
Club president Michael Sposato said it was great knowing that children, who otherwise may not have participated in sport, could now join up.
“Playing sport does come at a cost to families but, as a club, we’re not here to make any money, we just want to facilitate a community love of the world game,” Sposato said.
He says the funding will go towards memberships and uniforms.
Brimbank administrative chairman John Watson said it was “very satisfying” to support so many young people taking up sport.
“The program is so popular among our community that we had to reduce the application period for winter and year-round sports based on the high number of applications,” Mr Watson said.
Forty-nine clubs are registered in In2Sport for this year. Applicants can receive up to 75 per cent of membership costs, with a maximum of $200 per child per year. The fee payments are passed on directly to the sports clubs.
