The NSW ICC T20 World Cup Cricket Legacy Fund has donated $5000 to two community cricket projects in the Bega Valley.
Member for Bega Andrew Constance said the funding will improve the participation experience for community cricket.
“This final round of funding will see grassroots cricket supported, with Bega/Angledale Cricket Club and Pambula Cricket Club each receiving $2500 for new equipment and clothing,” he said.
Both Bega/Angledale and Pambula cricket clubs have a focus on junior and female participation, and the funding will be used for junior uniforms, and to ensure the junior and senior women’s teams have their own equipment to foster the participation of women in cricket.
“This will help leave a lasting legacy for generations to come, well beyond the T20 World Cups, and hopefully encourage more participants into the sport,” said Mr Constance.
Bega/Angledale president Rodney McDonald welcomed the funding for the club’s junior and female teams.
“Our thanks to Andrew and the state government for their support of grassroots sports – it really does make a difference to the clubs and players,” he said.
“These funds will allow us to provide new playing kits and protective equipment for our junior and women’s teams, which they will all be excited about.
“With more than 60 registered juniors this season, new gear will give them a real buzz as we continue to focus on developing their skills as they become our club’s future seniors, and possibly representative players.”
Pambula Cricket Club secretary Dave Smith said women’s cricket is in its third season on the NSW Far South Coast, and that the funding is just what the club needed.
“At present, the ladies’ team is using whatever [equipment] is spare so to be able to give them their own kit is something the team will be super excited about,” he said. “We want to encourage all our teams to grow, and the new kit for the girls will renew the enthusiasm and hopefully see numbers grow even further.
“It is grants such as this that really do make a difference to local community sports clubs, and we are grateful for the support of the NSW Government.”
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Government is committed to supporting cricket in the bush and this funding will be a massive boost to grassroots cricket in regional communities.
“As Aussies, we love our cricket and this is particularly true in regional NSW where a large social network often revolves around the local cricket club,” he said.
NSW Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the NSW Government is proud to help boost grassroots development.
“We are committed to ensuring a lasting legacy from hosting T20 World Cup matches in Sydney, and the legacy fund continues to deliver great outcomes,” he said.
Cricket NSW chief executive officer Lee Germon congratulated the successful recipients, acknowledging the role the legacy fund has played in helping to grow participation.
“The past two rounds of the fund have had an incredible impact on cricket in NSW, and this final round will be no different,” he said. “Congratulations to all of the successful recipients and thank you for your support of cricket in your community.”
For more information, visit the NSW ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Cricket Legacy Fund online.