Sporting clubs to receive a financial boost and expert advice

Sporting clubs across the Sunshine Coast are set to benefit from $648,015 through council’s Sports Field Maintenance Funding Program to ensure their fields are in top condition.

The partnership also includes expert advice from council officers on how to maintain turf playing surfaces.

Along with 44 other Sunshine Coast sporting clubs entering their second year of funding, the Caloundra Football Club will receive $44,840 as it transitions to taking over the maintenance at the Meridan Fields Sporting Complex.

Tourism, Events and Sport Portfolio Councillor Jason O’Pray said council had seen great results for local and visiting sporting groups since the Sports Field Maintenance Funding Program began in 2011.

“We’re focused on delivering Australia’s leading healthy, smart, creative region and having quality playing surfaces is a key for our sporting community,” Cr O’Pray said.

“This program has allowed our sporting clubs to provide improved facilities and also increased their capacity to maintain the playing fields to competition level.”

Community and Environment Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said the Sports Field Maintenance Funding Program was developed to provide financial assistance to local sporting clubs.

“Dedicated committees and coaches, mums and dads, willingly give their time, more often than not on weekends and evenings, to ensure that the players have quality facilities that enable them to enjoy the sports they love,” Cr McKay said.

“Council was keen to assist and partner with these groups through the Sports Field Maintenance Funding Program which contributes to the sports field maintenance costs incurred by these organisations.”

The council-adopted Sports Field Maintenance Funding Program budget for 2018/19 provides a total of $648,015 to fund not-for-profit sporting organisations, who meet the eligibility criteria, as a contribution towards the cost of the maintenance of turf sports fields in the Sunshine Coast region.

For more information and to view the successful sports clubs to benefit from the Sports Field Maintenance Funding Program visit council’s website.