AVID Property Group’s (AVID) Sunshine Coast community, Harmony, has backed local sporting association – the Sunshine Coast Cricket Association (SCCA) – as a part of its 2019/2020 Community Sponsorship and Grants Program.
Currently, only 59 per cent of children participate in sport once a week1, a clear indication that there is a need to foster a more sports-minded culture that encourages children to be physically active.
AVID Property Group General Manager Queensland Bruce Harper said AVID was proud to support the SCCA and encourage the community to live a healthy lifestyle through sport.
“Sports can be more than a form of physical activity for kids, it allows kids to feel a sense of belonging and build their self-esteem as they work together as a team,” Mr Harper said.
“The SCCA provides an opportunity for children at Harmony and in the local Sunshine Coast community to get involved in one of the nation’s most popular sports – cricket.”
The local SCCA plans to use its grant to fund equipment packs for its annual ‘Come and Try’ day series, which encourages children to try their hand at cricket and get involved in the sport.
SCCA Administrator and Secretary Gayle Gardiner said the grant and the new equipment would have a significant impact on the running of the association’s ‘Come and Try’ days – where children can come and try the iconic Australian sport.
“The ‘Come and Try’ days are an invaluable experience for children of all ages, as it provides them with the opportunity to run around, have some fun and make new friends while learning the skills of the game,” Ms Gardiner said.
“In the past, volunteers have had to provide their own equipment but with our grant from AVID we can provide the equipment for the activities – ultimately saving money for the volunteers who run these introductory skills clinics on behalf of the SCCA.
“Receiving community funding is vital for us and with so many worthy projects and organisations on the Coast, so we are incredibly grateful for the funding we have received from AVID.”
The association is currently preparing for the season finals in March and hopes the grant will help to raise the profile of the sport on the Sunshine Coast – encouraging more kids to give cricket a go.
For more information on the Sunshine Coast Cricket Association (SCCA) and how to get involved in the sport in 2020, visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.cricket.com.au.
1 AusPlay state/territory results, 2019
