By Matthew Sims
The Pakenham Pumas Baseball Club has received an extra boost to its continued growth, in the form of a $100,000 investment in the 2024-25 State Budget.
As part of the official release of the budget documents on Tuesday 7 May, the investment was part of the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions $14.7 million investment towards delivering community sports infrastructure in the next financial year, followed by an estimated investment of $2.8 million over the next two financial years.
Club board member Gregg Clutterbuck said the club was keen to getting to work on deciding how to best utilise the funding.
“It’s very exciting,” he said.
“It’s a welcome addition for us to continue to enhance the facilities we’ve got.
“This is going to be important.”
Mr Clutterbuck said the club had continued to grow since it was founded in 2000, with this year being the first year with six senior teams playing in the winter season.
“Our women’s program continues to grow,” he said.
“For us, it’s fantastic to see continued growth in our sport in Pakenham.”
The budget also included investment in the continuation of the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, alongside basketball hubs in seven locations across Victoria, and the Country Football and Netball Program – a longstanding partnership between the AFL, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria to get more Victorians involved across the state.
The State Government also announced they would invest $6 million towards the Get Active Kids Vouchers, with vouchers supporting kids’ participation, equipment and uniforms.
Community Sport Minister Ros Spence said community sport was the lifeblood of a number of the state’s communities.
“Victorians live and breathe sport,” she said.
“We’re making sure clubs of all sizes and levels have what they need to succeed and get everyone in their community involved.”
