A NSW Ports Community Grant is helping ensure more children have the chance to take to the cricket field this season.
Sydney Coastal Cricket Club has launched its Play Without Barriers subsidy program, using grant funding from NSW Ports to significantly reduce registration costs for families ahead of the 2026-27 cricket season.
Established in 1991 and based at Heffron Park in Maroubra, the organisation provides cricket opportunities for children aged four to 17 years. The Club runs Cricket Blast programs and junior competition teams competing in the Sixers Cricket League South East competition.
Club secretary Natasha Poole said the NSW Ports grant money allowed the organisation to address one of the biggest challenges facing grassroots sport.
"The funding is creating opportunities for more local children to get involved, stay active and build lasting connections within their community," she said.
"We thank NSW Ports for investing in grassroots sport and recognising the important role programs such as Play Without Barriers have in strengthening local communities around Port Botany."
NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas said Sydney Coastal Cricket Club is a great example of how the program supports practical initiatives that improve community wellbeing.
"NSW Ports is committed to supporting projects that make a meaningful difference in the communities surrounding Port Botany. Sydney Coastal Cricket Club's Play Without Barriers program is a wonderful example of this in action.”
"Local sporting clubs are often at the heart of a community, bringing together children, families, volunteers and supporters through shared experiences and we’re delighted the initiative is already making a positive difference for locals.”
NSW Ports one-off community grants of up to $25,000 are available to not-for-profit organisations, community groups or schools with innovative project ideas, programs or initiatives that deliver positive outcomes for communities living in close proximity to NSW Ports’ operations at Port Botany, Port Kembla, Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre and Cooks River Intermodal Terminal.
The program supports projects that deliver positive outcomes across the areas of education, health and wellbeing, economic development, the environment, arts and culture, social welfare and emergency services.
Click here for more information about the NSW Ports Community Grants Program.
This story first appeared in Eastern Suburbs Life
