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Softball Queensland has revealed the successful applicants for the Softball Association Development Grants Program (SADGP) which include Brisbane, Caboolture, Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Ipswich, Logan, Maryborough, Noosa, Redlands, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Townsville.

After Softball Australia launched the effective Back on Base grants program last year, Softball Queensland developed its own initiative to assist grassroot associations to recover post COVID-19.

Softball Queensland development and participation coordinator Stephanie Krippner said the SADGP program was created to help associations build a sustainable membership base and notes “the idea of the SADGP program was to help our district associations attract new members into their clubs and programs.

“We had some funds available to do this and the Board felt that this would be the best option for all involved to develop our associations membership and program base.”

In addition to increasing and retaining memberships, Krippner said the initiatives would be funded by Softball Queensland, alleviating the financial stress from associations at a grassroot level.

She said applicants were encouraged to ‘think outside the box’ when forming their project submissions.

“The projects that were approved had to be new projects and could not subsidise membership fees or provide equipment for existing programs, with most district associations receiving between $2000 and $3000,” said Krippner.

“This encouraged applicants to think outside of the box, attract new members into softball and encourage higher levels of participation as well as remove the cost burden of these initiatives.

“Player retention is also key as this is what provides quality club competition, so by retaining as many players from season to season as possible a healthy competition is maintained.”

The selection panel consisted of three representatives from Softball Queensland and an independent representative from a State Sporting Organisation.

Meanwhile applications were open to Softball Queensland’s affiliated district associations.

The competition was tough with many of the grant applications received being considered a high standard and the panel was impressed with the vast level of creativity displayed.

Krippner added that while some of the projects that were awarded funding are straightforward, some will require further collaboration with Softball Queensland.

“There were a lot of innovative ideas from targeting school teams to enter their club competitions to running come and try days with fun giveaways and a new glove to encourage new members to sign on.

“Some districts are also looking at new ways of advertising, whether that be through the radio, paid social media campaigns or creating a video clip for promotional use.”

Softball Queensland Chief Executive Ross Symonds said Softball Queensland’s SADGP aims to engage and invigorate as many clubs across the districts and state as possible.

Symonds noted “we have developed and run this funding program for our affiliated district associations as a follow up to the Back on Base program conducted by Softball Australia.

“The SADG Program will seek to engage and invigorate associations state-wide, with the aim of increasing grassroot participants and members while still retaining existing ones too.

“It has provided every district association in Queensland an opportunity to apply for a grant with innovative and novel ideas to either increase or retain members with successful projects being fully funded by Softball Queensland.”

Symonds highlighted that the successful projects were selected for displaying ideas that met the campaign’s key criteria and the ability to acquire or retain players, appeal to a wider audience at local and state levels and incorporate technology.

“The campaign also presents an opportunity to further promote national and state programs and initiatives that are currently available to softball clubs.

“Softball Queensland looks forward to working closely with each district association in supporting our existing members and potential new members playing softball.”

With the successful projects already underway, associations will now work alongside Softball Queensland to execute their plans.

“We will review the success of the projects at the end of the year and share key outcomes of each project to see what worked and what didn’t,” Krippner said.

“If we do look at some sort of grant program in the future this will mean we have data on the efficiency of these projects.”

The SADG Program is funded solely by Softball Queensland.

It was made available to district associations only who were not permitted to apply for Softball Australia’s Back on Base community grants program.

All projects are set to be completed by 22^nd December.

Image courtesy of SoftballQLD

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