In Focus: The Fostering Grassroots Sport Award

Fostering Grassroots Sport — Winner: Wyong Rugby League Club 

Wyong Rugby League Club was the 2024 winner in the Fostering Grassroots Sport category for their support of the troubled Central Coast Waves Basketball Association, which had financially collapsed. 

In April 2023, Wyong Leagues Group stepped in to rescue the Central Coast Waves Basketball Association. Recognising the community's need for the association, Wyong Leagues Group swiftly conducted due diligence, secured a licence, negotiated with creditors, became an associate member of Basketball NSW, employed staff with a strong basketball background to support the retained Operations Manager, appointed a basketball sub-committee and ultimately ensured a stable transition.  

“Because they represent so many kids and families across the coast, which is obviously very important to us, we felt compelled to help out,” Wyong Leagues Group Marketing Manager Keith Cameron said. 

By becoming a sub-club of Wyong Leagues Group, the Central Coast Waves Basketball gained access to administrative and financial resources, marking a new chapter of stability and growth.  

With a commitment to support and enhance community sports, Wyong Leagues Group's takeover ensured the revitalisation of basketball on the Central Coast, celebrated with a successful season launch in July 2023. 

Fostering Grassroots Sport — Highly Commended: Bankstown Sports Club 

The first of the two Highly Commended recipients in this category was Bankstown Sports Club for their support of the Bankstown District Cricket Club for the past 20 years. 

Bankstown Sports has supported the Bankstown District Cricket Club with over $50,000 in yearly funding, increasing to a yearly subsidy of $150,000 in 2005. The Club provides an additional $20,000 yearly subsidy to the junior cricket club who use the oval for the training and development of grade coaches, who in turn train younger players.

Bankstown Sports Club has provided ongoing financial support and strategic guidance towards the Bankstown District Cricket Club for over six and a half decades. This has included donations towards the construction of grandstands; contributions to the Uganda Project which provides pre-loved cricket equipment, sport uniforms, school uniforms and classroom resources to children in Africa; donations to support the development of an indoor sports centre; significantly funding women’s cricket; forming an All Abilities cricket program and continuing to upgrade the cricket grounds. 

Fostering Grassroots Sport — Highly Commended: SS&A Albury 

The second Highly Commended went to SS&A Albury for their support of the Wodonga Jets All Abilities Football program. 

The Wodonga Jets provide an opportunity for people with an intellectual impairment to play Australian Rules Football with support from SS&A Albury which took shape after the Club’s President noticed that there were not enough jumpers during the All Abilities game — forcing players to swap jumpers at half time.  

Since 2018, the grants from the SS&A Club have helped contribute to purchasing training equipment, uniforms and travel for the players contributing $40,000 to local Football Integration Development Association teams.  

“We’ve been able to help fund this program and get it off the ground to help kids play sport and get back into the community when they may not otherwise be able to do so,” SS&A CEO Gerard Darmody said. 

The Club is very proud that their support has been instrumental in the growth of All Abilities football and netball in the local area. 

“It’s not so much about the Club but about what we can give back to the community,” Gerard said. 

You can see the Wodonga Jets All Abilities Football team in action in the video below!