Youngsters at a local Sunshine sports club are gearing up for even more cricket fun.
Grand United Cricket Club was one of 28 community groups to receive a grant from Greater Western Water’s (GWW) Thriving Communities Grants and Sponsorship program.
The club will use the funding for its Sunshine cricket blast program, which offers children in the area the opportunity to participate in ten sessions of cricket.
Club president, Alan Hale, said everyone was “delighted” by the news of the grant.
“[The funding] gave us the opportunity to expand on what we’ve been doing for the last 15 years — getting boys and girls into cricket,” he said.
“We’re hoping we can open a few more doors for young people to get into cricket without the burden of the cost.”
The foundation program encourages five and six-year olds to try the sport.
After completing the program children often transition into the under 10s and under 11s teams at the club, with some even going on to play in the senior divisions.
“One of the first 11 players was in our blast program,” said Mr Hale.
GWW awarded around $180,000 in grants and sponsorships this year to groups, such as the Grand United Cricket Club, to boost projects, events and activities.
Other grant recipients from the Brimbank region included Albion Football Club, West Welcome Wagon’s Community Reach Out Days, Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Care Group, the Aboriginal Wellness Foundation and Western Edge Youth Arts.
General manager of strategy and partnerships at GWW, Kessia Thomson, said the organisation was overwhelmed by the number and quality of applications for the grants.
“We’re supporting more projects than ever before, and we can’t wait to see them come to life over the next 12 months.
“We’re supporting a diverse range of projects that will support positive liveability, education, sustainability and health and wellbeing outcomes for our customers and communities across every corner of our service region.” Ms Thomson said.
Community groups can apply for up to $20,000 for community grants and up to $5,000 for local community sponsorship.
