Dozens of footy clubs across Queensland have been awarded a financial boost through Westpac’s $100,000 Footy Grants program.
Forty-eight clubs across the Sunshine State have benefited from this pool of funding in 2023, following the same total in 2022.
This includes the Gympie Hammers rugby union club, who in 2023 are the recipient of a $4000 Westpac Footy Grant.
The club has been growing its junior membership in recent years, and the award of this grant will enable the club to upgrade its training equipment for these
squads, removing some of the financial burden from the club’s volunteer coaches and members.
President of the Gympie Hammers, Wade Flikweert said the money would be well spent.
“We’d get a new field kit, that’s post pads, quarter post flags and halfway flags for our second field, because we’ve only ever had the one field setting,” Flikweert said.
“And update our tackling bags and other stuff for the kids,” he said, adding the current equipment they are using was purchased back in 2014-15.
Presenting the cheque to the Hammers was Westpac Gympie Branch Home Finance Manager Amanda Reddy.
Since Footy Grants began in 2018, Westpac and St George have provided more than $950,000 of funding to footy clubs in need.
In 2023, Footy Grants have been awarded for a wide variety of needs, including new sports equipment, facility upgrades, and pathways that promote
diversity and inclusion in sport.
Westpac’s State General Manager for Queensland, Greg Crocombe, says this funding is a sign of the bank’s commitment to communities across Queensland. “We know that sports clubs play a central role in the lives of many Queenslanders and our communities. I’m proud that our support will help clubs right across the state achieve their goals.”