MP welcomes $550,000 upgrade for Encounter Bay Football Club

23 Jul 2020
Encounter footy

Posted September 03, 2019

Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has welcomed the announcement of a $550,000 grant from the Community Development Grants Programme to upgrade the Encounter Bay Football Club’s clubrooms and change rooms.

Photograph: Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie, left, discusses the planned extension of the facilities for the Encounter Bay Football Club and affiliated netball and cricket clubs with Steering Committee Members Ray Clarke and Don Rumbelow and Club President Cameron Hallett, right.

The funding, secured through the advocacy of the Centre Alliance MP, will help the club upgrade the existing change rooms and build SANFL-compliant amenities for female players and umpires.

The grant will also enable the club to extend its clubrooms, kitchen and canteen facilities and make them compliant to disability access requirements as well as upgrading the fire water supply, fire hydrant and fire hose reels to new national standards.

“Right across our community we are struggling to upgrade our facilities so they meet modern standards for health and safety, disability access and gender inclusiveness, Rebekha said this week.

“Women’s football in particular is booming in popularity which is fantastic for our community and the sport of AFL but it does present challenges for community-built facilities designed and built decade ago.

“Encounter Bay Football Club has risen to the challenge and has done a huge amount of planning and engagement with their membership.

“I visited the club during the recent election campaign to see their plans and hear first-hand their vision for the site which is home to many other sports as well including cricket and hockey.

“I was happy to advocate on their behalf with the Morrison Government and I am extremely pleased that the club now has a contribution towards their masterplan.”

Club President Cameron Hallett said the funding announcement was great news for members.

“The Encounter Bay Football Club is excited to receive this generous contribution from the Federal Government with the help and support of Rebekha Sharkie,” Mr Hallett said.

“This is our first big step in the funding process of our important project.

“This funding now allows our club to truly have a top class facility that will cater not only to our recent addition of female footballers but be a valuable asset for the broader community to utilise into the future.

“It importantly sets a foundation for further growth within our football club and our affiliated netball and cricket clubs.”

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