The number of clubs and the value of grants issued under the CitiPower and Cricket Victoria canteen grants program has increased in the latest round of applications after a tough year for fundraising for local clubs and organisations.
The number of clubs and the value of grants issued under the CitiPower and Cricket Victoria canteen grants program has increased in the latest round of applications after a tough year for fundraising for local clubs and organisations.
Grants valued at $68,700 will be shared between 18 cricket clubs in the third round of the program which is improving electrical safety in club facilities.
Metropolitan and regional cricket clubs within the CitiPower, Powercor and United Energy distribution network regions were invited to apply for grants to replace or upgrade electrical appliances, electrical wiring and power boards, switchboards or related infrastructure.
Grants are awarded based on a range of criteria, prioritising clubs needing assistance to improve the safety of club cricketers and volunteers using the facilities.
CitiPower General Manager Corporate Affairs, Joanne Pafumi, said many of the 100 applications received in this round commented on how difficult it had been to fundraise for their clubs during the COVID restrictions in 2020.
"It is great to see teams enjoying being back on the field this season," Ms Pafumi said.
"We hope these grants will help the players and their supporters enjoy their time off-field at the clubs too."
The $250,000 five-year grant program commenced in 2019 and supported 26 clubs with grants totalling $104,000 in the previous two rounds.
Cricket Victoria CEO Andrew Ingleton welcomed the news.
"We know all too well how tough the last six months have been in Victoria and these grants will very welcome news for clubs across the state. With almost $70,000 invested in the latest round of this program, we're seeing real benefits and safety improvements for players and volunteers alike."
The successful round three recipients applied for support ranging from $1,500 and $5,000 and are as follows:
| Club | Grant | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ballarat-Redan Cricket Club, Alfredton | $3,750 | Based in Alfredton on the edge of Ballarat, the grant will support the replacement of a faulty oven which was second hand when it was acquired by the club over ten years ago. |
| Bamawm Lockington United Cricket Club, Bamawm | $5,000 | This canteen at this regional club is operational six days a week. The grant will address electrical hazards observed with major appliances, some of which are over 25 years of age. Safety switches and a new circuit will also be added to the canteen. |
| Bendigo United Cricket Club, Bendigo | $5,000 | The Bendigo United Cricket Club is one of the oldest crickets clubs in Australia having originated in 1853. The funding will replace and upgrade appliances currently not functional or creating safety hazards for this large club. |
| Bonbeach Cricket Club, Bonbeach | $3,000 | A faulty freezer will be replaced through the grant for this expanding club which has introduced two women's team to the club this year. |
| Buckley Ridges. Cricket Club, Dandenong | $4,000 | One of the oldest cricket clubs in the greater Dandenong region catering to the needs of a changed demographic that now includes a significant proportion of kids and young men from lower socio-economic backgrounds including Afghan refugees, will now be able to replace a range of essential canteen appliances which are at end of life. |
| Bulleen Cricket Club, Bulleen | $3,000 | The grant will replace an unreliable fridge and pie warmer which are over 25 years old. At its peak the Club fielded six senior sides and six junior sides. Today the club fields three senior turf sides, a one day senior side, a veterans side and eight junior sides. |
| Carnegie Cricket Club, Carnegie | $4,000 | A demographically diverse club, Carnegie Cricket Club will replace a fridge which has become a safety hazard through this grant. |
| Carnegie United Cricket Club, Clayton | $3,000 | Also known as CUCC Kings, one of the fastest growing clubs in the South East Cricket Association. The grant will support the replacement of aging electrical appliances, some of which have been donated second and third hand and are well beyond their life expectancy. |
| Carranballac Cricket Club, Carranballac | $3,250 | Small country club reliant on funding to maintain their club, a shed. The grant will replace aging and defunct appliances including a 30 year old pie oven. |
| East Belmont Cricket Club, Belmont | $4,500 | A club built on the strong bonds between its members of all ages and ability levels, the grant will replace an oven which requires regular maintenance and repairs. |
| Glen Waverley Cricket Club Inc, Glen Waverley | $3,200 | One of the largest cricket clubs in the South East region with over 230 participants, grant funding will reduce the risk of electrical fire by replacing an unreliable oven and rangehood, as well as a freezer. |
| Jan Juc Cricket Club, Jan Juc | $5,000 | Formed in a local bar on a Friday night in 1981, Jan Juc Cricket Club will use grant funding to upgrade electrical infrastructure in the canteen. |
| Monash Cricket Club, Mount Waverley | $3,000 | The pandemic has made it increasingly hard for Monash Cricket Club to continue fundraising required to replace aging and defunct electrical appliances. Grant funding will support the purchase of a new fridge and food warmer. |
| Northcote Cricket Club, Northcote | $5,000 | Funding through the grant will support Northcote Cricket Club in reinstating their club canteen with updated electrical infrastructure and a new fridge. |
| Omega Cricket Club, Moorabbin | $5,000 | Grant funding will enable Omega Cricket Club to improve electrical power points, replace a leaking fridge and improve aging electrical appliances. |
| Waurn Ponds Deakin Cricket Club, Waurn Ponds | $1,500 | A volunteer-run community club with three senior teams in the Geelong Cricket Association, members include local residents, university staff and alumni, and international students from India, Sri Lanka and Singapore. Grant funding will replace a fridge which is at end of life, removing the risk of an electrical fault in the canteen. |
| Watchem Panthers Cricket Club, Watchem | $2,500 | A small town in Regional Victoria, Watchem Cricket Club has been back in operation for 5 seasons after more than 20 years in hiatus. As the only sporting club left in town, |
| Werribee Centrals Cricket Club, Werribee | $5,000 | The funding will support electrical works to replace old wiring and a switchboard, as well as install additional points to replace long extension cables. |
