Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
More than 400 cricket clubs and indoor cricket centres across Australia will provide enhanced cricket experiences after receiving grants from the Grassroots Cricket Fund (GCF).
The 432 clubs and indoor centres that successfully applied for first round grants will share $1.3 million in funding – part of the total $2.5 million available in GCF grants this season.
A second round of grant applications opened today allowing clubs and indoor centres that did not receive a grant in the first round to access funding that can be used for volunteer support and equipment.
The GCF is a joint initiative between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association that will provide up to $30 million to grassroots cricket over the life of the fund.
This season’s grants enable the purchase of products through our GCF partners such as defibrillators through the Community Heart Program, portable 2G Flicx pitches and Kookaburra training packs.
They can also augment their operations by using grants to fund the development of coaches and volunteers and the adoption of marketing and recruitment initiatives to attract new participants.
One successful applicant, Camden Cricket Club in NSW, chose to purchase a defibrillator with its grant through the Community Heart Program.
Greg Little, Secretary of the Camden Cricket Club, said:
“We felt a defibrillator was a necessary piece of equipment for our club to fulfill our responsibilities to the wellbeing of our players and to opposition players as well.
“It’s the kind of thing you need but hope to never use and the GCF helped us fulfill that obligation.
“Like a lot of clubs, we’ve been the beneficiaries of the GCF over the years and we’re really grateful to the assistance the players and Cricket Australia have provided.”
Premier Cricket clubs and indoor centres were eligible for GCF funding for the first time this summer with 18 Premier clubs and five indoor centres receiving first round grants – recognition of their importance in promoting cricket across the community.
Launching the second round of grant applications, Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja said:
‘’Clubs and indoor centres across Australia have done an amazing job in creating great experiences for their members despite the impact of COVID-19. The players are proud to be able to support these efforts,’’ he said.
“We hope these grants will help clubs and indoor centres best provide a great and inclusive environment in which to play and enjoy our game.”
The second round of GCF grants opened today.
For more information and grant applications visit grassrootscricketfund.com.au
