Kalkee Football Netball club is whistling to a different tune, thanks to a Community Development Grant from Horsham Rural City Council.
The club has purchased two electronic whistles for club members to use while umpiring during netball training.
While official umpires use their own traditional whistles at Saturday games, training sessions can often see multiple people stepping into take on the role of umpire using a shared whistle.
With increased hygiene awareness, especially in the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic, Kalkee has opted for safer hand-held whistles.
The HRCC grant allowed them to buy two whistles for $117 which have proven safe and useful.
Grants officer Jo Martin said users had learned to adjust to the different method of pressing a button rather than blowing a whistle, along with players learning to adapt to the slightly different sound of a traditional whistle.
"It is the sound that we sure had to get used to and the reflex of putting the whistle up to your mouth to use it," she said.
The HRCC grant also provided new safety nets for the club worth nearly $3000.
"The existing Football Safety Nets had perished and no longer provided a safe reliable shield between the football field and the netball court," Ms Martin said.
"The new nets have gone up and been great in providing protection for netballers and footballers during both games and training."
Kalkee ended the season with 10 of their 11 teams in finals and two of the netball teams, the 15 and Under and the B Grade, taking home the flag.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES SOON
HRCC's Community Grants have been highly successful over the past 12 months with dozens of local projects worth $210,211 allocated funding.
Most successful applications range between $500 and $5,000 and are awarded to not-for-profit organisations that enhance the Horsham municipality.
Clubs and organisations can apply for a share of the next round of funding via the HRCC website from 1 February until 28 February 2024.
GRANT FINDER TOOL
Community Groups can now access up-to-date information on available and upcoming grants from all levels of government as well as philanthropic programs – all in the one place on the HRCC website.
