By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Special Olympics Australia’s (Knox) Melbourne Eastern Ranges has received a vital funding boost from the State Government’s Sporting Club Grants Program, enabling the not-for-profit organisation to improve its facilities and continue providing high-quality sports opportunities for local athletes with intellectual disabilities.
In December 2024, the club was awarded a $1000 grant, which will be used to replace nine-year-old barriers on their six Bocce courts.
The funding will also go toward constructing new barriers, ensuring that the courts are safe, functional, and ready to accommodate athletes during regular training sessions, inter-club tournaments, and special fundraising events.
These events include the highly anticipated “Glow in the Dark Bocce Night” and “Pre-Footy Finals Night,” which are crucial for the club’s fundraising efforts and community engagement.
With up to 20 athletes attending training sessions each week, the facility upgrades are a critical step toward providing a better experience for the athletes.
Treasurer of Melbourne Eastern Ranges Indika Kaluarachchi said they don’t have large corporate sponsors or big donors.
“All our funding comes from volunteers, community contributions, and government grants. Without these funds, it would be difficult to keep our facilities at a standard that allows our athletes to train and compete at their best,” Mr Kaluarachchi said.
The funding was awarded as part of the Victorian Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting local sports and recreation clubs.
The 2024 round of the Sporting Club Grants Program saw a total of $1.2 million distributed across 740 clubs in the state. These grants help clubs purchase uniforms, equipment, upskill coaches and officials, and make their facilities more accessible and engaging for their local communities.
Community Sport MinisterRos Spence, highlighted the importance of these grants for clubs like Melbourne Eastern Ranges.
“This is a major boost for clubs across the state – we’re making sure clubs have the skills and equipment they need to thrive, and get more people involved,” Ms Spence said.
“We want our local sporting clubs to be backing the next generation of local champions – and these grants provide them the chance to do just that.”
The Sporting Club Grants Program has been running for over a decade, helping community clubs across the state enhance their operations and provide better experiences for their athletes.
In total, the program has delivered more than $18 million in funding to local clubs, supporting a range of initiatives from new uniforms and equipment to major infrastructure upgrades.
Melbourne Eastern Ranges, a 100 per cent volunteer-run club, relies heavily on grants and community fundraising to operate.
As Mr Kaluarachchi said, without support from the government, maintaining the facilities and providing the necessary equipment becomes a constant challenge.
“The facilities we use need to be in top shape to attract new athletes and ensure that our current members have the best experience possible. If a facility looks run-down, it’s hard to keep people engaged,” he said.
“The grant will not only help keep our courts in good condition, but it will also make it easier for us to host larger events and invite athletes from other clubs to compete with us.”
For Mr Kaluarachchi and his team, the impact of this funding goes beyond the physical upgrades to the Bocce courts.
It also helps them attract and retain volunteers, many of whom are trained specifically to coach athletes in Bocce and other sports.
“We rely completely on volunteers, and many of them have to go through formal training and certification before they can coach. These courses are sometimes costly, but we cover the expenses through our fundraising efforts. This way, we can ensure that our athletes are getting the best possible coaching,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Mr Kaluarachchi remains optimistic about the future.
He believes the upgraded facilities will inspire new athletes to join, while also improving the experience for current members.
“If we can provide high-quality facilities, our athletes feel valued and motivated. This encourages them to keep coming back, which is key to building a strong, sustainable community,” he said.
As part of the club’s long-term vision, the grant will also help Melbourne Eastern Ranges continue to host events that not only raise funds but also increase awareness about the importance of inclusive sports programs.
“These events are vital for us. They not only generate funds to maintain our programs, but they also help spread the message about the importance of sport for people with intellectual disabilities,” Mr Kaluarachchi said.
The Sporting Club Grants Program is part of a broader initiative, backed by the Regional Community Sport Development Fund, which aims to create more accessible sporting opportunities for Victorians.
Through this funding, clubs like Melbourne Eastern Ranges can continue to invest in infrastructure, improve their services, and support athletes in achieving their goals.
The program’s impact is felt across a wide range of sports, from grassroots initiatives to elite athlete programs.
Recent recipients include Surfing Victoria, which received $5000 to fund lifesaving training courses, and the Victorian International Optimist Dinghy Association, which secured $4500 to support young sailors competing in the Australian Optimist Championships.
“It’s important for clubs like ours to access these grants, but we often get last-minute notifications from third parties instead of directly from the government,” he said.
“It would help if the state government could reach out to clubs, using member databases, to provide earlier notice about available grants. Clear, advanced timelines – such as announcing grants for not-for-profits with deadlines like the month and the date – it would give us the time we need to plan and apply.”
For Mr Kaluarachchi, this grant represents a step forward for Melbourne Eastern Ranges, helping them build on their successes and reach even more athletes in the community.
“We’re incredibly grateful for this support, and we’re excited to see how these improvements will help us grow and continue to serve our community.”
