By KATH GANNAWAY
NETBALL and tennis across the Yarra Ranges have scored well out of the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities funding program.
Following consultation with a committee of local sports club representatives, Casey MP, Tony Smith, said a number of projects that encouraged female and youth participation in sport were recommended as priorities.
Mr Smith said he believed that female sports did not receive enough recognition or funding.
“Our female athletes are high achievers and strong performers who deserve to have great facilities to train and compete on.
“As such, I was very pleased that six netball facilities, in Powelltown, Yarra Junction, Woori Yallock, Seville, Monbulk, and Montrose, were successful in obtaining funding for court resurfacing or shelter construction, as well as the Yarra Glen Tennis Club for new Hot Shots courts for junior players,” Mr Smith said.
Woori Yallock and Yarra Glen will receive $20,000, Powelltown, Yarra Junction, Seville, and Monbulk, $18,000 each and Montrose, $14,660.
He thanked the committee, Brett Whelan, Toni Madden, Caroline Evans, and Blake Hadlow for their assistance in recommending the priority local projects, and Yarra Ranges Council who will match the funds and oversee the projects.
Round two for the Stronger Communities Program is open for submissions. Visit http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/scp/ or contact the office of Tony Smith MP on 9727 0799.
