Cricket Australia

GRASSROOTS CRICKET FUND

Australia's Professional Cricketers, the Australian Cricketers' Association and Cricket Australia are working in partnership to deliver the Grassroots Cricket Fund (GCF); a program to strengthen grassroots cricket in this country for generations to come.

The program will again provide eligible clubs and indoor cricket centres the opportunity to improve the experience of players, coaches, volunteers and administrators with an emphasis on growing participation and providing great experiences for their community.

**Please refer to the Grassroots Cricket Fund Guidelines and Terms and Conditions to understand the ALL the details.**

 FUNDING CRITERIA

To be eligible for funding, a Cricket Club or Indoor Cricket Centre must have been involved in at least ONE of the following initiatives in the 2023/24 season:

a. Delivered or participated in a Woolworths Cricket Blast program (activated a Cricket Blaster Program, School Holiday program or Pop-Up centre in PlayHQ); or

b. Fielded at least one junior girls’ team in an affiliated girls’ competition; or

c. Had a total of 10 or more girls registered in or across Woolworths Cricket Blast and Junior Cricket; 

FUNDING INFORMATION:

Grant amount:  up to $3,500 for initiatives as per the below: 

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES / INITIATIVES THAT WILL BE FUNDED:

Initiatives and equipment that explore and drive new or more participation opportunities across the cricketing pathway, these include: 

• Woolworths Cricket Blast 
• Junior Cricket
• Women & Girls initiative
• Multicultural and Diversity & Inclusion Activities  

CATEGORY A: CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO PLAY

 Examples:

• School to club engagement activities
• Come & try days 
• Recruitment drives 
• Targeted media campaigns
• Marketing and promotional activities 
• Digital – social media promotion, website development
• Creation of a marketing strategy (consultancy use)
• Playing equipment 
• Coaching & training equipment  
• Equipment for participants 

 CATEGORY B: CREATE BRILLIANT EXPERIENCES

 Initiatives that encourage exceptional experiences for your members, your club and community, including:

1. BUILDING OPERATIONAL CAPACITY & CAPABILITY

 Projects and initiatives to support clubs and centres to operate more efficiently and effectively:

 Examples:

• Development of a club strategic plan, including vision, mission, and focus
• Operational plans to increase participation and engagement at the club
• Technology to support new club initiatives – e.g Laptops, tablets

2. VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT AND ENGAGEMENT

 Workshops or training courses to enhance participant, coach, and volunteer skills and knowledge.

 Examples:

• Coaching and Umpire courses
• Mental Health First Aid Training, Mental Health Awareness Workshops
• First Aid Training
• Conflict Resolution training
• Cultural Awareness Training
• Child Safety Officer Training
• Financial or Risk Management / Governance training
• Social media training 
• Volunteer management training
• Leadership courses for junior participants 
• Initiatives that support reimagining the volunteering experience (modern practices, micro-volunteering, flexible/online roles, use of technology)
• Activity that promotes engagement of under-represented communities in volunteering/club support capacity (eg: women & girls, youth, multicultural)

3. VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION PROGRAM

• Volunteer Reward & Recognition activity and initiatives (eg: Volunteer of the      Month programs, promotion of contribution)

4. INITIATIVES THAT IMPROVE INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY IN UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS INCLUDING CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE COMMUNITIES, ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIANS, PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY, LGBTIQ PEOPLE AND SOCIO ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.

Examples:

• Engaging relevant local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders in Welcome to country ceremonies; &/or 
• Cultural Education sessions Promoting awareness, understanding & social cohesion at your club.  

5. ANY OTHER INITIATIVE / PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON CREATING SAFE, INCLUSIVE AND QUALITY EXPERIENCES AT YOUR CLUB / CENTRE WITH A FOCUS ON JUNIORS, GIRLS, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AND VOLUNTEERS.

WHAT WILL NOT BE FUNDED THROUGH THE GCF:

• Professional coaching, player payments or administration salaries
• Capital building works including renovations and extensions
• Canteen items such as soft drink, food and alcohol
• Rental costs associated with the annual or seasonal hire of facilities
• Leasing of vehicles, trailers and accessories
• Ongoing operational costs such as salaries for ongoing positions, rent, electricity and other utilities.

 
ACQUITTAL:

All successful applicants are required to send through a written submission detailing outcome of the initiative/s, impact and receipts as proof of spend no later than Monday, 31 March 2025.