Benalla's All Blacks Score Funding For Court Upgrades

Monday, 01 September 2008 Players, members and supporters of the Benalla All Blacks Football Netball Club and the local community will benefit from an $18,000 Brumby Government grant to upgrade the court at Friendlies Oval. Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino visited Friendlies Oval today to announce the Country Football Netball Program grant to upgrade the netball court to competition level.

“The Brumby Government is taking action to ensure all Victorian communities have the facilities they need to encourage healthy, active involvement in sport and recreation,” Mr Merlino said.

“This facility is home to the Benalla All Blacks club, which provides many opportunities for local families and friends to get together, play sport and have fun. They’re just one of 10 teams in the King Valley Association who stand to benefit from the new competition-standard courts.

“Local clubs like the Benalla All Blacks are the lifeblood of football and netball in their local communities, which is why the Brumby Government is committed to supporting grassroots sporting clubs and associations.”

The funding is part of the $10 million Country Football Netball Program, which has contributed towards the redevelopment and construction of more than 200 community sporting facilities.

Mr Merlino said the upgrade would include widening the court, laying of fabric underlay to prevent cracking and re-sheeting with asphalt. The upgrade will ensure the club can continue to provide opportunities for local Benalla residents to get involved in sport and recreation.

“Benalla East and St Joseph’s Primary School are just two of the nearby schools that will be able to access the new facility as part of their physical education and sports programs,” he said.

“Local sports facilities are vital to the social fabric, strength and wellbeing of any community and by improving the quality of those facilities we are encouraging greater participation for all Victorians.”

“We want to provide more opportunities for people to stay healthy and active, which is what the Brumby Government’s $150 million Go for your life campaign is all about – getting more Victorians involved in sport and recreation in their local community.”

Mr Merlino commended the Benalla All Blacks Football and Netball Club for its contribution of more than $9,000 in funds and in-kind to the project.