Media Releases

21 Jun 2008 - Building Better WA Sports Facilities

The Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, today announced $340,000 in grants to upgrade a number of local sporting facilities in Western Australia.

"West Australians are known for their love of sport, particularly on the cricket field, football ovals, and in or on the water," Ms Ellis said.

"These grants will help to improve sporting facilities in a number of different regions and make it easier for people to participate in local sports."

The grants include:

• $100,000 for the redevelopment of Hands Oval in Bunbury;
• $100,000 for the Champion Lakes Boating Club;
• $90,000 for the refurbishment of the Perth Football Clubs EFTel Oval grandstand; and
• $50,000 for the Clontarf South West Football Academy.

Hands Oval is home to the South Bunbury Football Club and the South-West Football League. It's also used for swap meets and various other community events. The Government's commitment of $100,000 will help provide new cricket pitches, scoreboards, change rooms, seating and ground resurfacing.

The $100,000 grant for the Champion Lakes Boating Club in Armadale will help with the development of new rowing pontoons, providing schools in the region with a joint facility at the recently opened international rowing facility.

The Perth Football Club will use its grant to refurbish the EFTel Oval grandstand.

The Clontarf South-West Football Academy, which is based at Newton Moore Senior High School in Bunbury, develops the sporting talents, life skills and leadership of local Indigenous students and athletes through involvement in Australian Rules Football (AFL). The academy will use the $50,000 grant to purchase a new team bus.

"Encouraging greater participation in sport and recreation activities is one of the Rudd Government's key election commitments and works hand-in-glove with our efforts to improve the physical and mental health of all Australians," Ms Ellis said.