Jane Prentice (Ryan, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The coalition government recognises that grassroots sporting clubs help to drive increased participation and promote the social health and community benefits of physical activity and sport. No truer can this be than for the many local sporting organisations in the Ryan electorate. Bardon Latrobe Football Club, located at Bowman Park, has centuries worth of history. In recent years, the club has seen an increase in growth and participation, but, to cater for this, they require some upgrades to their facilities. This, as we know, places a significant financial burden on small community clubs, which are often stretched at the best of times.

The Bardon Latrobe Football Club is now the successful recipient of $500,000 worth of funding as part of the coalition government's Community Sport Infrastructure grants program. Phil Cowlishaw, the club's president, was delighted when I phoned him with this fantastic news. He said these funds will be used to build new unisex change room facilities. The club was also successful in securing $15,000 through the Stronger Communities Program to upgrade their kitchen and canteen facilities. Congratulations again to Bardon Latrobe Football Club. I'm pleased and proud to have been able to support you and your dedicated team of volunteers, and look forward to your continued growth.

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