Sports clubs urged to apply for share of Gov't support

20/11/97

Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore has urged sports clubs across Western Australia to apply for a share of $125,000 in Government support.

The money is from the Ministry of Sport and Recreation's Sports Club Development Scheme and is used to support grass roots sports clubs.

Clubs have to meet specific criteria and the maximum allocation to any club is $750.

The $125,000 is the second round of funding, which is just getting under way. This matches another $125,000 distributed State-wide in the initial funding round in July, 1997.

"The aim of the Sports Club Development Scheme is to help clubs pay for things like coach education, resources and information," Mr Moore said.

"For example, a club might use a grant to pay for coaches to go on courses, to develop 'how to' manuals or to upgrade office equipment."

The Minister said clubs must be constituted and incorporated under State law as a not-for-profit sporting organisation.

They also had to be affiliated or in partnership with the relevant State sporting association and must have discussed their needs with that association.

"This scheme recognises the vitally important work played by community-based sports clubs," Mr Moore said.

"While the Government is committed to helping people make the most of sport and recreation activities, the work done, mainly by volunteers, at club level is crucial.

"Every recent study says people who play sport are healthier - so clubs which help people get access to sport are helping the community at large.

"These grants are available to any clubs which meet the criteria, wherever they may be in Western Australia."

For further information on the Sports Club Development Scheme, please contact Greg McLennan on 9387 9746.

Media contacts: Bob Figg, Ministry of Sport and Recreation (08) 9387 9749 or Hartley Joynt, Minister's office (08) 9321 1444