Grassroots Cricket Fund Gives $2M to the Heart of Community Cricket
4 September, 2022
Australia's professional cricketers will continue their commitment to nurturing community cricket this season by making up to $2 million available through the Grassroots Cricket Fund (GCF).
This season, there will be two new targeted GCF grant categories to help clubs and centres meet goals such as increasing participation, improving volunteer experience, and ensuring they can provide assistance with playing costs.
For the first time, clubs and centres can apply for the provision of an AED Defibrillator Package to help safeguard the wellbeing of their players.
This initiative was endorsed by former Wiggle, Greg Page, and former Australian cricketer and coach, Darren Lehmann.
Both Page and Lehmann survived heart attacks and are all too aware of just how important immediate attention is for those who suffer a heart attack.
"It's a great initiative from the ACA, the players especially, giving back to community clubs," said Lehmann.
"With the help of Greg and Heart of the Nation, it'd be fantastic to get these little machines that save lives to as many clubs as possible. If you can get to someone between three and five minutes, you can save 70 percent of people - it's a valuable tool.
ACA CEO, Todd Greenberg, said the GCF has already provided thousands of clubs and centres throughout Australia with funds to buy equipment and go towards improved facilities that will strengthen grassroots cricket for generations to come.
"Our players are very conscious of strengthening the links between elite and club cricket. The investment of millions of dollars of players' money into the GCF is as good a demonstration as you'll get into how committed they are to the health of the Australian game.
"This is an important summer for community cricket clubs and centres after a very difficult two years. The players know just how important these clubs are in building social capital in their local communities."
For more information, head to www.grassrootscricketfund.com.au
