Sport
16 November, 2022
$100k pledge for Panmure
PANMURE sporting clubs are set to receive a boost if Labor is elected to government this month, with a $100,000 funding commitment for the recreation reserve made this week.
PANMURE sporting clubs are set to receive a boost if Labor is elected to government this month, with a $100,000 funding commitment for the recreation reserve made this week.
Labor candidate for South West Coast Kylie Gaston visited representatives of the Allansford-Panmure Cricket Club and Panmure Football Netball Club to make the announcement on Tuesday.
Mrs Gaston said the funding would be untethered, allowing the committee to spend the funds as it sees fit.
“It’s fantastic to be able to offer this support because the local footy, cricket and netball clubs are the lifeblood of towns and bring people together,” she said.
“There is some work to do here; it’s a fantastic facility but there are some issues which need to be worked out.
“It is obvious this money would be spent wisely. A Labour government knows this is a good club who are going to be smart with how they choose to spend the funds.”
Panmure Football Netball Club president Philip Mahony said the funding promise would make things “so much easier”.
He said the club had lofty plans to redevelop the kitchen and canteen area, move the playground and improve access to the facility with a new ramp and stairs.
“After sustaining damage during the floods I’m sure there are going to be a range of updates needed around the footy club and grounds,” Mr Mahony said.
“We’ve got a number of things which need to be addressed with access to our pavilion despite the pavilion itself remained unscathed.
“This being the second time in ten years we’ve experienced flooding the area is probably going to be classed as a flood zone which impacts what we can and can’t do.
“New buildings to go up will have to be done to a new code if we are classed as a flood zone, so there is going to be a lot for us to unpack in the next little while.
“The funds will be put to good use, that’s for sure.”
Mr Mahony said the influx of funding would be vital to helping the club move forward from a difficult time.
“Cash at that level is very difficult for clubs to generate; you can continue to look after your own little bills but to do capital works is often very difficult,” he said.
“Support for football and netball clubs which give benefits to their communities, especially in the country where we don’t have access to a lot of things in town, is vital for communities.
“Football and netball clubs take on a big role, from our teas after games and the social aspect bringing communities together to the impact we can have on mental health.
“At a time when clubs are finding it tough to stay afloat, we need to be looking at ways to support clubs in their communities.”
Mrs Gaston said Labor had provided more than $1.6 billion to upgrade and improve recreation reserves and sports grounds across the state.
As sporting clubs and organisations have been flood-impacted in recent months, she said an emphasis on supporting community sport was an important step.
“Labor understands local sporting clubs are at the heart of communities like Panmure,” Mrs Gaston said.
“One of the nice things about a small town club like Panmure is it caters to all generations; it gets the young ones out and it’s a connection for older residents as well.
“Sport is such a big part of the community, it benefits everyone, and that’s why we’re supporting local clubs to help local families stay active and engaged.”