SPORTS & COMMUNITY

$1,980,932

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO LOCAL SPORT AND COMMUNITY GROUPS: (CASH & IN-KIND)

It has been a challenging year for our local sporting teams and community groups who, like the hospitality industry, continue to navigate the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic.

Community sport was shut down in early 2020 before resuming in July 2020 with new health and safety measures in place. But the second COVID wave in mid-2021 saw it ground to a halt yet again.

The ClubGRANTS program was temporarily paused during the shutdown in 2020 too.

Highlights

THREE ATHLETES FROM OUR ASSOCIATED SPORTING CLUBS QUALIFIED FOR THE 2021 TOKYO OLYMPICS.

JESSICA HULL

Jessica Hull from the Bankstown Track Project was named Athletics Australia Female Able-bodied Athlete of the Year 2020. The 24-year-old broke three Australian records in the 1,500m, 3,000m and 5,000m events.

JYE EDWARDS

Jye Edwards from the Bankstown Track Project produced one of the best performances in BSAC history to win the Australian Track & Field 1500m Championship 2020.

EDWARD TRIPPAS

Edward Trippas from the Bankstown Sports Athletics Club obliterated the Olympic qualifying time for the 3000m Steeplechase to qualify for the Tokyo Games just two and a half hours before the qualification cut off time.

New community rooms

As part of our commitment to providing a safe and accessible meeting place for our community, Bankstown Sports created new multi-purpose meetings rooms on Level 1 of the club, replacing the former administration offices. These rooms are available for hire by local community groups and feature projectors, tables, chairs, a self-service kitchen and a special disability bathroom.

Supporting our community

Bankstown Sports has provided funding to Bankstown City Aged Care (BCAC) for over 50 years to improve the quality of life for residents living with dementia.

Despite the impact of COVID on our operations, Bankstown Sports prioritized support to BCAC in 2020 to allow the Music Therapy and Elder Clown Programs to continue. These life-changing sessions offer non-verbal residents the opportunity to experience humour and joy, and enhance communication with staff and families.

Contribution: $70,000

Kookaburra walking track

In early 2020, upgrades to the walking track through the Ted Horwood Reserve Precinct were completed. This project was a joint venture between Hills Shire Council, Baulkham Hills Football Club and other sporting teams that use the grounds, to connect the two existing walking tracks and allow residents and visitors to access facilities safely without having to venture onto roadways.