Cricket NSW: Australia’s elite cricketers give back to clubs across NSW

Photo Credit: Cricket NSW

Across NSW 160 cricket clubs and indoor cricket centres will provide enhanced cricket experiences to encourage further participation after receiving grants totalling $488,000 during round one of the 2021/22 Grassroots Cricket Fund (GCF).

The GCF is a joint initiative between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association that will provide up to $30 million to grassroots cricket across Australia over the life of the fund.

The funds will ensure clubs and centres maintain their position as pillars of local communities by providing equipment and using grants to fund the development of coaches and volunteers and the adoption of marketing and recruitment initiatives to attract new participants.

One successful NSW based applicant, Blacktown District Cricket Club, received funding to purchase cricket coaching equipment to assist with their junior development programs and to also enable them to continually provide training and upskilling opportunities to local community cricket coaches in the region.  The club will also take part in a Multicultural Awareness Workshop.

Blacktown District Cricket Club Secretary Matt Mortimer said: “Our cricket club is based in one of the largest multicultural regions in Australia, the Multicultural Awareness Workshop will provide our committee with the necessary skills, knowledge and resources to deliver inclusive and safe programs for the multicultural communities in our region. This will help to ensure cricket remains an inclusive sport in our region across all platforms as local clubs will also be invited to attend.”

“We’re grateful to have received the GCF funding to help support the plans of our Club and thank the players and Cricket Australia for providing these opportunities to all clubs.”

In total, 432 clubs and centres nationally successfully applied for first round grants and 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 will open from Monday, February 14 for a 3-week period, allowing clubs and centres that did not receive a grant in the first round to access funding that can be used to purchase products through GCF partners such as defibrillators via the Community Heart Program, portable 2G Flicx pitches from Flicx UK and Kookaburra training packs.

Launching the second round of grant applications, Australian cricketer and product of Sydney Coastal Junior Cricket Club, 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.”

For more information and grant applications visit www.grassrootscricketfund.com.au

NSW cricket clubs and indoor cricket centres who have received round one GCF funding:

Cricket NSW