Grants give greater opportunities to Coffs Harbour sports clubs Coffs Coast Coffs Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - September 9, 2022 Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh and Greg Peronchik from the Discover Sailing Centre at Coffs Harbour Yacht Club, which was awarded $5,000 in the Local Sport Grant Program. ENCOURAGING more people to get involved in local sports is the motivator for the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grant Program, with seven Coffs Harbour sports clubs benefiting from the latest round of funding. The Coffs Coast sports clubs have a share of $50,000 funding for new equipment, programs and facilities for the following projects. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Diggers Cricket Club funding will go to increase junior female participation by reducing costs. Coffs Harbour Yacht Club launches its children’s Learn to Sail program. Souths Netball Club will use the grant for the introduction of inclusive uniforms. Corindi Pony Club will purchase equipment to promote better access to sporting programs. Coffs Coast Outrigger Canoe Club can now purchase safety items to enable increased participation. Northern Storm Football and Sports Club’s funding will buy new goalposts for the Korora ground. Coffs Harbour Crusaders Junior Rugby Union Club’s grant money will purchase all-abilities access and seating. Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said, “Sport is a way of life on the Coffs Coast. “These grants provide essential funds to clubs for programs, equipment and facilities that will enable more people of all ages and abilities to participate in sport. “Bringing communities together through sport provides many social, health and economic benefits. “Getting together with teammates on a weekend or mid-week to play sport is so important for our physical and mental health,” he said. Greg Peronchik from Discover Sailing Centre at Coffs Harbour Yacht Club told News Of The Area, “The local sport grant the club received, for the sum of $5,000, assists with the purchase of lightweight sailing dinghies, sails and equipment for the Learn to Sail program. “Australian Sailing’s Start Sailing One and Two courses will be delivered at Coffs Harbour Yacht Club which will give kids and adults the skills to rig, launch, sail and retrieve a sailing dinghy. “Establishing these courses means sailing will be available to the wider community at Coffs Harbour. “Sailing is an Olympic sport with Australian sailors having won medals in various classes and championships at elite levels. “The Learn to Sail program provides local grassroots accessibility to an international sport and associated industries for those who wish to pursue it.” Club member Peter Vaiciurgis said, “We are excited to be offering a children’s Learn to Sail program for the first time in many years. “Our club has a history of developing National championship winning sailors and we hope to encourage more children to come and try sailing.” The Coffs Harbour Yacht Club summer season for off the beach dinghies begins on Saturday 10 September. For further information check out the clubs website at www.coffsyachtie.com.au/sailing. By Andrea FERRARI The sabots used in the Learn to Sail program at Coffs Harbour Yacht Club.