Sport

L-G given home ground repair boost by Bunnings

By Oliver Shedden

Feb 10, 2025

Trade specialist at Bunnings Echuca Simone Schliefert, L-G senior player Charlie Hancock, LGFNC president Matt Hawken and complex manager at Bunnings Echuca Tim Brennan in front of the historical front gate that is one of the key focuses of the grant funds. Photo by Oliver Shedden

Leitchville-Gunbower Football Netball Club has received a $50,000 grant to make repairs to key elements of Leitchville Recreation Reserve as part of Bunnings’ Home Ground Advantage initiative.

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Over 400 grassroots clubs nationwide made applications for the grant, with LGFNC being the only Victorian club and one of five total to be provided access to a significant portion of Bunnings products and materials to aid in renovations.

The club is set to use the grant to celebrate and improve the historic Leitchville entrance gates, which were first erected in 1939, kick-start renovations to the men’s and women’s change rooms and update the premiership team boards.

The updates are scheduled to finish in time for L-G’s senior football and netball sides’ first game of the season on April 12, with the aim to be done around Saturday, March 22 for preseason events and practice matches.

While Bunnings will provide materials and products to complete the necessary changes, it will be members of Leitchville and Gunbower’s communities and members of the club that will undertake the works.

Simone Schliefert, Charlie Hancock, Matt Hawken and Tim Brennan in the stripped down changerooms. Photo by Oliver Shedden

LGFNC president Matt Hawken reflected on receiving the grant and how it would positively impact the community and enhance the experience of using the facility.

“Receiving this grant gives us a great opportunity to upgrade and expand all the little things around the club, getting bar fridges, change tables in the clubrooms and all those minor things along with the major historical parts,” he said.

“It is a huge benefit for us to receive this grant, it has been a long time since we have had an injection of funding into our club like this.

“It’s just about improving our facility and, in turn, hopefully both visitors and locals will get the most out of the ground and enhance everyone’s enjoyment in the space.”