Pilbara clubs fail to nominate for government funds

Pilbara sporting clubs have missed out on tens of thousands of dollars of available funding because none applied for a round of State Government grants earlier this year.

More than $500,000 was awarded to 19 groups around WA in the first round of the Department of Sport and Recreation’s Community Sport and Recreation Facilities Fund Small Grants funding round.

Of the 27 applications received by the Department, none were from the Pilbara and just one application, from the Bardi Ardyaloon Association to pay for planning for an undercover basketball court, was from the Kimberley.

Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies said the State Government had invested significantly through the CSRFF fund to the Kimberley and Pilbara regions in previous years, adding the the redevelopment or refurbishment of existing facilities was one of the most requested and supported CSRFF projects, particularly in regional WA.

However Labor Member for Mining and Pastoral Region Stephen Dawson said it was disappointing not one Pilbara club received funding in the latest CSRFF grants, adding the department could better assist clubs to access the grants to ensure residents don’t continue to miss out.

Mr Dawson said vibrant sport and recreation clubs made for a vibrant community and he said local clubs could definitely do with the money and the State Government needed to help them access it.

“Local clubs are feeling the pain at the moment as the economic downturn impacts their ability to attract sponsorship,” he said.

“The Government needs to make sure local clubs know that grants are available and help them through the application process.”

Ms Davies said the State Government had invested about $6.5 million in the Kimberley through 47 small and large CSRFF projects.

“In the Pilbara, the Government has invested around $9.2 million since 2008-2009 through 24 small and large CSRFF projects,” she said.

“Since 2008-2009, through CSRFF, the Government has invested more than $156 million in more than 980 sport and recreation facility projects around the State.”

Offered twice a year, the small grants are for local sport and recreation club projects under $200,000.

The next round of grants open on July 1 with a August 31 deadline.

Applications are now open for the main round of large CSRFF grants.