Canterbury Junior Football Club the first recipients of grassroots grants

Liam Watson
Canterbury Junior Football Club are the first recipients of grants to be launched at Dolcissimo Restaurant in the Sydney suburb of Haberfield.

Canterbury Junior Football Club are the first recipients of the new Superstar Sports grassroots football cash grants, to be launched on Friday (March 5) at Dolcissimo Restaurant in the Sydney suburb of Haberfield.

The grants are valued at $300 and will be awarded to a grassroots club every three months by a former player who made it to elite levels including NSL, A-League, W-League, Socceroos and Matildas.

Canterbury Junior’s President James Hondros will accept the first grant at the quarterly “Football Fraternity Lunch” held at Dolcissimo Restaurant on March 5. Hondros will be presented with a cheque by former club junior and Socceroo Peter Katholos.

The grants are part of the widely acclaimed Grassroots Football Project, in conjunction with sponsors Superstar Sports and Zenith Football Pathways.

“Our club is honoured to be the first recipients of these generous grants,” Hondros said.

“To have our cheque presented by Peter Katholos makes it more special.  He is one of three Socceroos we are very proud of, the other two being Ernie Campbell and Dennis Yaeger – thanks to all concerned.”

Canterbury Junior Soccer Football Club was formed in 1923 due to an initiative by Andy Burton who met with a group of enthusiasts and sat on a rock pile situated on a vacant block where Canterbury Hotel now stands. Jack Daley was elected President, Andy Burton Secretary and Tom English Treasurer.

Later in the year, Hurlstone Park was created and was followed up by the formation of the Canterbury and District Soccer Football Association (CDSFA). The now Canterbury Juniors were regarded as Canterbury Park with a playing strip of blue and gold vertical stripes and the namesake for the home ground.

Local district competitions were commenced as All Age and U/16 years which saw Canterbury Park win both these competitions run by the CDSFA.

“What a great way to start this scheme – Canterbury are a club rich with history, also having produced three Socceroos,” Grassroots Football Project creator Greg Werner said.

“I’d like to thank our sponsors for their support, and we look forward to our second award announcement in June.”

The awards will begin in Sydney with plans to nationally roll-out in the coming months.

“We are proud to be behind these grants. Superstar Sports was established to help cut costs of equipment for my club APIA Leichhardt, but the enquiries from other clubs have been a welcome surprise,” Superstar Sports’ Tony Raciti said.

“It’s time for some serious players in the sportswear market who are focused on helping junior sport, and not milking it. Congratulations Canterbury.”

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Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program to aid NSW sport and clubs

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Image credit: NSW Government

The Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program aims to supply Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and related equipment to sports and recreation facilities and clubs across New South Wales.

An AED is a device used alongside Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) that delivers a controlled shock to someone in cardiac arrest, enhancing their chances of survival.

About the program

The NSW Government is allocating up to $500,000 in funding for the 2024/25 Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program, offering grants of up to $3,000 to eligible sports clubs and facility owners.

In 2024/25, funding will be available to applicants from the bottom five Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), as ranked by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, or those demonstrating financial hardship. This approach aims to prioritize funding for those who need it most.

Important dates

  • Program opened: 9:00am Tuesday 17 September 2024.
  • Program closing: Upon funding allocation being exhausted or by 1:00 pm on 27 November 2024 whichever is earlier.

Key objectives

The main goals of the Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program for 2024/25 are:

  • To assist local sports and recreational clubs or related incorporated organisations in the most disadvantaged areas of NSW in acquiring an AED package.
  • To enhance access to these devices throughout NSW.

Funding availability

The grant amount will cover the cost of an approved AED package, up to $3,000. Applicants can apply for one AED package and are allowed only one application per financial year.

Please note that applicants who have previously received funding from the Local Sport Defibrillator Program can apply again, but they will only be funded if the program’s budget has not been fully allocated by the closing date.

Eligible applicants

Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, which can be demonstrated in one of two ways.

Option 1: Applicants can show that their primary clubhouse or facilities, or the majority of their sporting or recreational activities, are situated in an eligible postcode, defined as being within the lowest five deciles of the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Socio-Economic Indexes for Australia (SEIFA). This can be demonstrated by:

  • The registered address of the applicant organisation must be within an eligible postcode.
  • Applicants must provide clear evidence that their sporting or recreational activities primarily occur at facilities located in an eligible postcode.
  • Applicants should demonstrate that the majority of their participants live in eligible postcodes.

Option 2: Applicants can present evidence of experiencing financial hardship, which can be demonstrated by:

  • providing clear evidence that they cannot meet essential club expenses or other financial obligations as they become due.

Details regarding the types of evidence required will be included in the application form and can also be found in the frequently asked questions section.

More information can be found here.

Newcastle Jets confirmed Brydens Lawyers as major partner

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Image credit: Newcastle Jets website

The Newcastle Jets have confirmed Brydens Lawyers as their 2024/25 Major Partner and Official Legal Partner.

Brydens Lawyers will be showcased on the front of the Jets’ Men’s Home, Away, and alternate jerseys, as well as on the back of the Women’s Home, Away, and alternate jerseys during the club’s 20th anniversary season in the A-League.

A top law firm in NSW known for offering Free* Legal Advice in the communities they serve, Brydens Lawyers, have been long-time supporters of local sports in the Newcastle and Hunter region for many years.

Newcastle Jets fans and members got their first glimpse of the 2024/25 season playing kits two weeks ago, as the club revealed the Men’s and Women’s Home and Away uniforms.

Principal of Brydens Lawyers Lee Hagipantelis said via press release.

“Brydens Lawyers is thrilled to announce its partnership with the Newcastle Jets as the Major Partner, affirming its commitment to supporting sport and the community in the Newcastle and Hunter region,” he said.

“The Newcastle Jets are a cornerstone of the local sporting landscape, and this sponsorship is a natural extension of Brydens Lawyers’ mission to give back to the community and encourage engagement in sport at all levels.

“We believe that investing in local sports not only promotes healthy lifestyles but also fosters a sense of unity and pride within the community. We are excited to be part of the Newcastle Jets’ journey and to contribute to their success.

“The sponsorship will provide the Newcastle Jets with essential resources to enhance their pathway and elite programs, and the supporters of the Jets, together with the broader community, will continue to avail themselves of the expert legal advice and representation that Brydens Lawyers has provided for over 50 years.”

Newcastle Jets CEO, Shane Mattiske, said via press release.

“The Club is very excited to have the support of such a preeminent Australian business and importantly an organisation that makes a significant contribution to this region here in Newcastle,” he said.

“We appreciate Lee’s and Brydens Lawyers’ support of both our Men’s and Women’s A-League teams as we enter an exciting new era at the club.

“We call on all Novocastrians to get behind the Jets with our Men’s opening game at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday 19 October against Melbourne City and our Women’s home opener on November 3 at No. 2 Sportsground against the Wanderers.”

The Jets plan to unveil their 2024/25 alternate kit at a future date.

Brydens Lawyers will offer several Free Legal Advice Consultations at local Wests Club throughout the year.

For more information about the law firm, click here.

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