2012 Casey Sports Forum 'Celebrate Sport in Casey': Issued 12 September 2012
Subscribe
Print
EmailMEDIA RELEASE: 12 September 2012
More than 90 local sporting club representatives from 50 sporting clubs across Casey attended the sixth annual Casey Sports Forum held at Settlers Run Golf and Country Club on Wednesday 22 August.
Volunteers and sportspeople including Juan Carlos Loyola OAM Casey Sportsperson of the Year and Thomas Niazmand Casey Young Citizen of the Year, were joined by their local Councillors at the popular event, which featured guest speaker Chris Connolly, Melbourne
Football Club General Manager Club Development.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Sam Aziz addressed the audience on the night, acknowledging the work of Casey’s 210 sporting clubs and its volunteers who provide participation opportunities for people of all ages and all abilities.
‘Sporting clubs play a very important role in Casey and the Casey Sports Forum is an opportunity to recognise, and reflect on the positive programs which are taking place in our sporting clubs across the municipality’, said Cr Aziz.
‘Whether it’s soccer, cricket, Australian Rules football, tennis, swimming or lawn bowls our communities come together as one to take part in local sport.
‘The vast majority of these clubs and organisations are run by volunteers who contribute countless hours in support of their particular passion.
‘At a time when we need to do more to encourage our children as well as adults to be physically active, Council is determined to ensure that sport and recreation continues to grow and prosper at a local level.
‘One of the most critical ways in which Council provides support, is through our award winning Sports Development Plan.
‘The Sports Development Plan has been focused on increasing the community’s participation in sport and active recreation, facilitating sports club development, and establishing new clubs for emerging new neighbourhoods and to meet demand in existing ones.
‘Nothing illustrates this better than the recent official opening of the Grices Road Recreation Reserve in Berwick. This wonderful new facility will strengthen community sport and recreation in the local area as well as boosting participation.
‘We also continue to build on Council’s 30 year partnership with the Melbourne Football Club, providing pathways to elite level sporting opportunities for Casey’s young people, and the expanded All Abilities Sports Carnival allows participation for everyone, at any level.
‘Keeping Casey’s sporting clubs and culture thriving, also means continuing to invest in the infrastructure and sports grounds that local clubs need.
‘In this year’s budget Council is investing in the construction of two ovals and drainage works at Marriott Waters Estate, Lyndhurst, an upgrade to gymnastic facilities at the Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre, and the completion of the Casey Fields rugby pavilion development in Cranbourne East among other projects.
‘These and a range of other projects illustrate the depth of the City of Casey’s commitment to local sport and recreation’.