The Werribee Softball Association has welcomed a state government grant which will help to replace equipment stolen during two burglaries last year.
Last week, Werribee MP Tim Pallas announced the government would give the sports club $1998 from the Sport and Recreation Emergency Equipment Grants program.
Association president John Ballestrino said the money would be used to buy equipment – including bats, gloves, a catcher’s kit and balls – after thieves broke into the club’s storage shed at President’s Park twice in December, including on Christmas Eve.
Mr Ballestrino said the thieves stole equipment valued at $15,000, including an line-marking machine.
He thanked the state government for the grant and said it would “help ease the pain a little bit” for the association.
Mr Ballestrino said since the burglaries, Wyndham council had also been “very helpful” in helping the club to get back on its feet.
He said the worst thing about the theft of the club’s equipment was that the association was entirely run by volunteers.
Mr Pallas said it was sad that grassroots sports clubs were often targeted by vandals and thieves who damaged and stole vital equipment.
