Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
Australia’s professional cricketers will continue their commitment to nurture community cricket this season by making up to $2 million available through the Grassroots Cricket Fund (GCF).
The GCF is a partnership between the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) and Cricket Australia (CA) that has so far provided $10.6 million to support more than 2,000 local Clubs and Centres.
There will be two new targeted GCF grant categories this season to help clubs and centres meet goals such as increasing participation, improving volunteer experience and ensuring they can provide assistance with playing costs.
For the first time, Clubs and Centres can apply for the provision of an AED Defibrillator Package to help safeguard the wellbeing of their players.
This initiative was endorsed by former member of The Wiggles, Greg Page, and Australian Test batter, Darren Lehmann.
Both Page and Lehmann survived heart attacks and are all too aware just how important immediate attention is for those who suffer an attack.
Darren Lehmann said:
“It’s a great initiative from the ACA, the players especially, giving back to community clubs.
“With the help of Greg and Heart of the Nation it’d be fantastic to get these little machines that save lives to as many clubs as possible.
“If you can get to them between three and five minutes, you can save 70 per cent of people. It’s a valuable tool.”
Todd Greenberg, Chief Executive Officer, ACA said:
“Our players are very conscious of strengthening the links between elite cricket and club cricket. The investment of millions of dollars of players’ money into the Grassroots Cricket Fund is as good a demonstration as you’ll get in to how committed they are to the health of the Australian game.
“The Fund has already provided thousands of clubs and centres throughout Australia with funds to buy equipment and go towards improved facilities that will strengthen grassroots cricket for generations to come.
“This is a really important summer for community cricket clubs and centres after a very difficult two years. The players know just how important these clubs are in building social capital in their local communities.”
Nick Hockley, Chief Executive Officer, Cricket Australia, said:
“We’re delighted the Grassroots Cricket Fund will continue to make a valuable contribution to community cricket. The great work the players are doing to give something back to the game is making a real difference.
“We’re particularly pleased the grants are being used to provide support for the volunteers who do so much for their communities and to fund initiatives that help grow participation. These are extremely important objectives for our game.”
Head to www.grassrootscricketfund.com.au for further information.
