The Ipswich Swifts Hockey Club kitted out their coaches and managers with some new gear, made possible thanks to Queensland Country Bank’s Good for Good Community Grants.
A grant of $6,000 was awarded to the Swifts to help purchase rolling equipment bags and a sport specific First Aid Kit. Treasurer for the Swifts Hockey Club, Lisa Shaw said the new bags would help the coaches and managers become more efficient during training and games.
“We’ve purchased some pull along bags that will allow our gear to be transported in one go. Currently, there’s around five to 10 pieces of equipment that are being ferried around the fields by several players and staff. Now they can all be packed neatly into one bag and wheeled around,” Mrs Shaw said.
“The grant has also allowed us to purchase some extra equipment and stationery to help our coaches planning and expand their scope of expertise.
“We have struggled to successfully support and retain our volunteer coaches and managers and this grant has helped us equip them with the tools they need and deserve.”
Queensland Country Bank Ipswich Area Manager, Michael Doherty, said that he is extremely pleased that they were able to support a club whose values were so closely aligned with Queensland Country Bank’s.
“For a Good for Good Grant to be awarded to one of our local clubs is a tremendous thrill for me and my whole team. With the current pressures on families, to be able to help Swifts support their members is really pleasing,” Mr Doherty said.
“Anyone that has worked on a committee before knows that they really are run off the power of the people involved. It makes us so proud as a Member-owned bank that we have the ability to assist our local community in numerous ways and reduce the burden on committees to make their organisations successful.”
Mrs Shaw said that the grant will do so much more than just alleviate the physical pressures of the job for their coaches and managers.
“Financially, this has been a big boost for us. We would have really struggled to supply half of what we were able to purchase. We believe in keeping our fees for members as low as possible and we would rather see people and families play the sport they love and enjoy than miss out because of high costs,” she said.
“Unfortunately, that means there’s not a lot of wiggle room for us to be able to afford new equipment. I’m extremely grateful to Queensland Country Bank and hopeful that this will pave the way for us to retain and encourage more volunteers to step forward.”