Wembley Baseball Club awarded $2000 Community TAB Sports Grant
27 August, 2018
Community TAB of Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA) has awarded Wembley Baseball Club a $2000 sports grant.
Wembley Baseball Club was one of two groups to receive a grant this month, selected from over 200 sporting clubs that applied from around WA.
Wembley Baseball Club President Reed Morris said grants from organisations such as Community TAB are of great value to the club as they assist in progressing its goal of bringing baseball to young kids in the community.
“The club is a small, family-oriented club, which has gone through some hard times in the past couple of years, and the sport of baseball is unfortunately very expensive due to insurance costs, ground costs and building costs,” Mr Morris said.
“Most years the club does not have the money to invest in getting better equipment or ground facilities, so this grant is especially welcome as it goes directly towards equipment that is compliant with the club providing a safe playing environment for our younger players.”
“In recent years we have been able to host Little League games on our oval where we host other clubs and see a lot of kids having a great day of baseball.”
“Unfortunately, the backstop equipment needed to facilitate these games is a mishmash of nets which does not comply with the minimum standards, so this grant allows the club to purchase two new semi-permanent backstop net systems which comply with the minimum requirements and provide a safer environment for our under 12 year olds.”
“The club provides opportunities for younger players aged under eight years old, right through to older players over 40 years old, and our philosophy is built around development and inclusiveness.”.
Mr Morris added that a number of the players had gone on to State and National competition teams, with some also getting to the US for the minor and major leagues there.
RWWA CEO Richard Burt said the organisation recognises the importance of grass roots sport throughout WA.
“We understand that it takes time and resources to keep a club running within the community, so we are pleased to be giving the opportunity to help relieve this burden on clubs,” Mr Burt said.
“RWWA has been supporting the WA sport and recreation industry for many years through providing millions of dollars over 10 years to the Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR) and more recently through Community TAB sponsoring the WA Football League and WA Integrated Football Program.”
Community TAB will provide at least one grant each month to a sporting club to further their contribution to the sport and recreation industry in WA. Once a club applies for a grant, the application will stay within the pool until the grant is awarded.
Sporting clubs can apply for a grant at communitytab.com.au. Terms and Conditions apply.