More investment in Canberra’s community sports sector

You’ve no doubt seen its dedicated members paddling across the lake on frosty mornings. Over the years, Canberra Rowing Club has taught thousands of Canberrans to row. It has also produced 14 Olympians.

The club is just one of several local sporting organisations to benefit from the ACT Government’s Sport and Recreation Investment Scheme.

The scheme includes two new funding programs in 2023 – the Club Enhancement Program (CEP) and the Community Sport Facilities Program (CSFP).

A total of 31 projects will be funded through both programs.

Under the CSFP, Canberra Rowing Club will receive $1.3 million over two years.

This will go towards the construction of a new clubhouse.

The club has raised a further $860,000 to help fund the project, which has been in the works for a decade.

The new clubhouse will provide disability access, a better standard of facilities for female members, a new meeting space and other amenities.

This modernised facility will allow the club to offer a variety of new rowing programs for school students and para-athletes.

According to Sandra Sweeney, President of Canberra Rowing Club, the grant “will enable us to bring to life this vision and more ably support the needs of our members and the ACT’s rowing community”.

“We have a proud history of being home to national representatives and Olympians, and with the Olympics coming back to Australian shores, we see this grant as a vital component for a project that will help grow our sport, and support the next generation of ACT rowers as they look to Brisbane 2032,” Sandra said.

In addition to the Canberra Rowing Club, a range of other clubs and organisations will benefit from the Sport and Recreation Investment Scheme, including:

• Brindabella Blues Football Club – $122,000 for planning a design of a new pavilion in Calwell.
• Hall Pony Club – $20,000 to upgrade the arena surface.
• Kippax Tennis Club – $20,000 to provide solar battery power to the facility.

• Hockey ACT – $10,000 for volunteer development.
• Canberra Cycling Club – $8,900 to purchase event timing equipment.
• Croatia Deakin Soccer Club – $4,700 to increase the number of female coaching members.