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WOMEN’S sporting clubs in Bendigo are eager to find out if they can tap into new grant money to upgrade inadequate facilities.
The state government announced another round of grants from its Country Football and Netball Program on Tuesday, which will be open for applications until December 7.
Eligible clubs could receive up to $100,000.
The early announcement was a surprise to the City of Greater Bendigo, which last week stated there was no additional funding to apply for this year.
Cath Robertson, who has been pushing for upgrades to the Queen Elizabeth Oval women’s facilities, said clubs needed to know if they could apply for the funding.
“We need to know what the council, state and federal governments are going to do – we don’t want it to be left at that, for them just to say ‘good luck with the grant’,” she said.
Clubs need to apply through their local council, with the funding available for projects including change room upgrades, court refurbishments, lighting works and ground surface works.
Netball clubs throughout Bendigo voiced their concern about substandard facilities last week, calling for a greater investment in women’s sport.
Labor had promised $10 million in funding to improve women’s sporting facilities throughout the state in the lead-up to the 2014 state election, and last month announced $100,000 grants.
The grants do not come into effect for at least 12 months, however.
Mrs Robertson said with every delay, women’s facilities continued to fall further behind.
“The QEO is like the MCG of sporting facilities in our region, and even then the women’s facilities are far from standard,” she said.
“Imagine what it’s like for those smaller towns. It’s not guaranteed that any of the clubs will receive grant funding either.”
In today’s announcement of extra funding, Victorian sports minister John Eren said the government was aiming to ensure all Victorians had equal access to sporting facilities.
City of Greater Bendigo acting active and healthy communities manager Lincoln Fitzgerald said the council would support groups to make applications for funding.
“Council will work with leagues and associations to determine projects to be submitted to the program; however a range of projects will be considered,” he said.
“The program requires council contributions towards the project, so any application will need to be agreed to by council.
“Funding is limited to $100,000 so larger and more expensive projects would not be appropriate for this program.”