GRAFTON REDMEN SCORES UP IN LIGHTS

The Grafton ‘Redmen’ Rugby Union Club has been awarded $19,800 to upgrade the scoreboard at its home ground in South Grafton, Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson has announced.

Mr Williamson said the current scoreboard had reached its end life and he was thrilled the Club had been successful in securing funding through the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grant program to replace it.

“Local grassroots sporting clubs like the Grafton Redmen are the lifeblood of community sport, and this investment will increase both the player and spectator experience,” Mr Williamson said.

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“This latest grant is in addition to funding I announced last year which saw new female change rooms and new lighting installed at the grounds.

“I thank the Grafton Redmen volunteers who made this possible as without their commitment and dedication to the sport, none of this would have been achieved.”

Grafton Redmen Club President Bart McGrath said the Grafton Redmen have worked tirelessly over the past two years to obtain funding to upgrade amenities at the club for the benefit of both players and spectators.

“The funding support received from the NSW Government to upgrade infrastructure at the grounds has seen the club go from strength to strength on the field with increased junior and female participation as well as increased community sponsorship and support off the field,” Mr McGrath said.

The Local Sport Grant program is annual program that aims to support grassroots sporting clubs to increase participation, host events, improve access and enhance sport and recreation facilities.

Mr Williamson said he will be announcing other successful recipients under the latest funding round in the coming weeks as he moves around the electorate.

“I encourage all sporting clubs across the Clarence and Richmond Valleys to jump online and subscribe to receive updates on when the next round of Local Sport Grants program open,” Mr Williamson said.

Further information can be found here or by calling Mr Williamson’s office on 6643 1244.

For more local Grafton news, click here.

$50,000 in Local Sport Grants Awarded to Five Lismore Clubs for 2023-2024

STATE Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, announced today that five local sports clubs will benefit from a shared $50,000 as part of the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grant Program for the 2023-2024 period. This program, managed by the NSW Office of Sport, continues to support sports organisations in upgrading their facilities, equipment, and in staging events and training sessions.

Ms. Saffin expressed her enthusiasm for the grants, noting, “This funding will assist our local clubs and their dedicated volunteers to offer more opportunities for community members of all ages and abilities to engage in sport and active recreation.”

The recipients of this year’s grants include a diverse range of projects aimed at enhancing local sports infrastructure and community involvement:

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• Lismore Old Boys Rugby League Incorporated (Marist Brothers Rams Rugby League Football Club, established in 1912): Awarded $20,000 to foster a safe and inclusive culture through a coaching course aimed at encouraging more participation from girls and women in rugby league. The funds will also support enhancements to their website and promotional activities.
• Dunoon United Football Club: Receiving $15,956 to build a chained backstop fence at Balzer Park to prevent balls from entering a dangerously overgrown and steep area, with a matching co-contribution from the club.
• Kyogle Boxing Club Incorporated: Granted $7,729 for their ‘Heat for Health Heart Healing and Recovery’ project, which includes the purchase of a four-person infrared sauna to support recovery alongside existing methods like hydrotherapy and massage.
• Goonellabah Football Club: Allocated $4,103 for the ‘More boots on the field’ project, which includes hosting two ‘come and try’ muster days to attract more juniors, senior females, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players for the 2024 season.
• Sporting Shooters Association of Australia NSW Urbenville-Woodenbong branch: Funded $2,212 for the purchase of wireless remotes and receivers for clay target throwers, enhancing safety and competition efficiency at their range.

The NSW Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, highlighted the broader impact of the program: “A total of 579 local projects across the state have shared in $4.4 million in NSW Government funding under this year’s program. We’ve doubled the funding for individual projects, enabling grassroots community sports clubs and associations to expand their programs and improve their equipment to better support participants.”

For more details on the Local Sport Grant Program and how to apply in future rounds, interested parties are encouraged to visit NSW Sport Grant Program.

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Yamba’s Kick Flips and Tail Whips Skate comp returns for Youth Week

The Kick Flips and Tail Whips skateboard and scooter competition will be back in the coastal town of Yamba on Friday, April 19, as part of the Clarence Valley’s 2024 Youth Week celebrations.

The competition, popular with local skaters, has different age divisions and prizes to give away.

Getting It Together, a youth team with the not-for-profit organisation Social Futures, in collaboration with Clarence Valley Council organises the event. (Getting it Together supports young people aged 12-25 achieve positive change when using drugs and alcohol; and building self-esteem and healthy life skills.)

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Social Futures Children, Youth and Families Manager Kiara McBeath said coastal Yamba was the perfect place for the comp because skateboarding originated in the beach towns of California and Hawaii.

“Back in the 1950s, when there was no surf, some surfers came up with the idea of riding the street,” Ms McBeath said.

“They put metal wheels on short surfboards and called themselves ‘asphalt surfers’ then a toy designer saw them. In 1959 Roller Derby released the first manufactured skateboard and in 1963 the first skateboard competition was held at Hermosa Beach, California … as they say the rest is history.”

Registration opens for the Yamba Kick Flips and Tail Whips skateboard and scooter competition at 10.30am, for an 11am start, and a 3pm planned finish. (School students will be on term break.)

Ms McBeath said not only do competitors have fun, but the event is great to see.

“I still can’t believe how many tricks there are. There are flatland and flip tricks, slides and grinds, aerials and grab tricks, lip, inverts and event handplant tricks and then we have the freestyle and old school tricks.”

Clarence Valley Council’s Youth Officer, Allira Newton, describes the competition as a key event on Clarence Valley’s annual Youth Week Calendar.

“Yamba Kick Flips and Tail Whips never fails to disappoint participants and spectators alike,” Ms Newton said.

“This competition has been an ongoing partnership between Social Futures and the Clarence Valley Council since 2019, and we love seeing this event happen each year and the amazing young talent it showcases.”

Skaters and scooters can register ahead of the event here. In case of bad weather check the Clarence Valley Youth page for updates on the event.

For more sports news, click here.