By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council will not charge outdoor sporting clubs fees for the 2020 winter season to help support local sports during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wyndham’s sports development portfolio holder, Cr Peter Maynard, announced the news at last week’s council meeting.
Cr Maynard said the council has allocated approximately $20 million to sports and recreation as part of its 2020-21 budget.
“To assist sporting clubs doing it tough during COVID-19, council is also committing to provide financial support to these important community organisations by not charging fees for outdoor sporting clubs for the 2020 winter season,” he said.
Cr Maynard said the council would also offset some of the additional costs sporting clubs operating out of AquaPulse and Eagle Stadium might incur, relating to hiring extra lanes and courts needed to meet government pandemic regulations.
Cr Maynard said the council would work with sports groups during the pandemic to provide advice and support.
“While we will hopefully see community club sports restrictions ease from mid-July – we will see – we will continue to keep across the situation and its impact on clubs in future seasons,” he said.
“Sporting clubs and organisations in this city have many volunteers who are also residents, and who are also racking their brains to find new and innovative ways to ensure the viability and long-term sustainability of their clubs.”
Cr Maynard said Wyndham’s sports clubs embodied the social cohesion and community spirit many residents wanted to see within the municipality.
