In Peterborough, the town’s basketball stadium will have upgraded glass backboards installed – replacing the 44-year-old wooden backboards and goals which are in poor condition and becoming unsafe.

The $50,000 investment was secured following advocacy from Member for Stuart, Geoff Brock, who fought for the funding to support his community and ensure young people could continue to use the popular facility.

Peterborough Basketball Association offers the only local team-based sport for ages 6-55 and is linked to other basketball associations in the region from Burra, Orroroo, Jamestown, Crystal Brook, and Clare and Gilbert Valley.

At Melrose, the local football club – hit hard by drought – will receive $60,000 in funding through the second round of the South Australian Football Facilities Fund, an $8 million collaboration between the State Government, SANFL and AFL.

Booleroo Melrose Wilmington Football Club will use the grant to help upgrade their oval’s turf, irrigation and drainage, with the club working tirelessly to get the playing surface ready for the 2025 season.

Booleroo Centre Tennis Club has also received vital support under a new Government program established to boost female participation in sport.

Through The Power of Her – Infrastructure and Participation Program, the club will resurface three existing tennis courts, replace old fencing and install a new equipment shed after receiving an $80,000 grant in the program’s second year.

Recognising the immediate challenges faced, the State Government has fast-tracked and expanded a new and additional Drought Relief Round for sport and active recreation clubs, with applications opening tomorrow.

Grants up to $5,000 for clubs impacted by drought in regional and greater metropolitan areas will be made available, as part of a $2 million package to provide accessible and affordable ways for communities to stay active. 

The grants – delivered through the Active Club Program – are a significant increase on previous rounds’ cap of $3,000.

For the first time, funding can be used for water-saving and drought-resilient measures like rainwater tanks, smart irrigation controllers and new or upgraded irrigation infrastructure, along with utility bill relief and energy efficiency initiatives.

Applications close on Wednesday 28 May.

It follows more than a dozen clubs in the Mid North and Southern Flinders receiving support in the last round of the Active Club Program, helping to provide sporting equipment, uniforms and professional development for coaches and staff.  

In the last month, the State Government has invested around $200,000 through dedicated grant programs to support Mid North and Southern Flinders sporting clubs, with more assistance to follow under the new Drought Relief Round.