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THE City of Mount Gambier has announced its Junior Sports Assistance Fund will waive membership fees for member organisations in 2020/2021 to provide financial relief and help sporting clubs focus on rebuilding after the COVID-19 pandemic affected activity.
Affiliated sporting organisations contribute annually to the fund based on a formula determined by the committee.
To assist the sporting community, the committee endorsed a recommendation to waive member contributions for the 2020/2021 financial year, totalling $8,500.
“It has been a very challenging year for many of our sporting groups and the fund is pleased to reduce some of the financial burden these clubs are carrying due to reduced or no activity,” fund presiding member Christian Greco said.
“The implications associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the tiered shutdowns of activities has had an immediate impact on our sporting community.”
The move has been well received by the sporting community, with Basketball Mount Gambier writing to the fund to express its appreciation.
“This is a considerate gesture and we appreciate the committee thinking of sporting clubs that have struggled in this trying time,” administration officer Teresa Stewart said.
The fund currently has 17 sporting organisations as formal members and has distributed more than $490,000 to junior sports persons and coaching clinics since its inception in 1988.
“We are thankful to our members organisations for their ongoing support in growing the fund to assist local athletes and we hope this gesture assists clubs to move forward successfully,” Cr Greco said.
