The Andrews Labor Government is helping to improve the safety of country football and netball clubs as community sport returns this year.
Applications are now open for the 2021 WorkSafe Club Safety Fund which gives grants to clubs in regional Victoria to improve the safety of their facilities and provide security for players, officials and spectators.
Grants are available to clubs affiliated with WorkSafe AFL Vic Country and the WorkSafe Country Netball League as a contribution of up to 50 percent of the total cost of safety initiatives.
Initiatives include:
- equipment to protect players (such as goal post padding), first aid kits, defibrillators and slip resistant flooring
- structures that provide shelter or safety such as behind-goal netting, shade sails, fireplace guards and fencing for walkways
- maintenance for facilities that present an occupational health and safety hazard.
To be eligible, clubs must provide evidence that a grant is needed to make their facilities safer and show that either an Occupational Health and Safety or Risk Management Program is being implemented.
Since 2002, WorkSafe has helped more than 300 local football and netball clubs with funding and assistance dedicated to the health, safety and wellbeing of regional communities.
Past recipients include the Redan Football Netball Club which recently received $3,600 to install life-saving defibrillators in their two clubhouses, the Dimboola Sporting Club which used a $1,500 grant to put safety netting behind the goals, and the Irrewarra-Beeac Football Netball Club which received $5,000 for more on-field lighting.
Applications for AFL Vic Country's WorkSafe Club Safety Fund close on 9 May. For more information visit aflvic.smartygrants.com.au/WorkSafe_ClubSafetyFund.
Applications for Netball Victoria's WorkSafe Club Safety Fund close on 1 July. For more information visit vic.netball.com.au/worksafe-club-safety-fund.
As stated by Minister for Workplace Safety Ingrid Stitt
"Country footy and netball teams are the lifeblood of regional communities - but you can't make the most out of a season if you're injured or unsafe at the grounds."
"These grants will help clubs make some easy changes to keep players, staff and spectators safe, no matter the sport."
