Jennifer Pittorino
In a bid to level the playing field for young talent, the Altona Sports Club has launched a fully funded junior cricket sports program, providing underprivileged children from the Western Suburbs of Melbourne with a unique opportunity.
The club said it has responded to the financial barriers faced by many families following the challenges posed by the pandemic.
“This initiative ensures that no child, regardless of their socio-economic or cultural background, misses out on the chance to reap the benefits of participating in sport,” it said.
Altona Sports Club, general manager, Gavin Comport said the club is proud to introduce this initiative.
“Sport is a universal right and not a privilege. Our goal is to ensure that every child, irrespective of their background, gets a fair chance,” said Mr Comport.
“Our program has already enabled 50 children, 30 per cent of whom are junior girls, to embrace the game of cricket, perhaps for the first time in their lives.
Participants will be provided with a personal kit and uniform, as well as the chance to be mentored by ex-professional cricketers.
Community Clubs Victoria (CCV) Chief Executive, Andrew Lloyd, said the Altona Sports Club’s implementation of the fully funded junior cricket program demonstrated the values that CCV strives to encompass.
“Every child deserves an opportunity, and background should never be a limiting factor”, said Mr Lloyd.
“The Altona Sports Club’s forward-thinking initiative stands as a testament to this belief.”
The club is proud to have recently received the Cricket Victoria Junior Initiative of the Year award.
The club said after a 25-year hiatus in junior cricket, this marks as a significant achievement in the Club’s history.
With aspirations to bring 150 junior players under this program’s wing by next year, the Altona Sports Club is dedicated to ensuring as many children as possible from the Altona community are participating in team sport.
