The Margaret River Hockey Club was founded in the 1930s, but to date has no clubrooms or grounds to call home. The nearest facility for the club was in Busselton, and the 90 minute round trip for players and families was resulting in a steady decline in membership.
The club developed the Bring Hockey Home project, a fundraising initiative to fund a half pitch turf in the Margaret River town site. The club consulted with Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, Hockey WA and Engineering Consultants to set a goal of raising over $800,000.
The club began writing grant applications and rallying local support by sharing the positive values and culture that already existed within the club, but would further develop with funding support for a new turf. The club focused on creating a space where community members could not only access, but had a sense of belonging.
What happened next
- The club developed a series of videos to share their story
- Partnered with Aran Zalewski, Co-Captain of the Australian Men’s Hockey Team, as an ambassador for the project
- Advocated their cause to local Members of Parliament
- Implemented learnings from Inclusion Solutions educational workshops and mentoring to further develop club culture
- Over $25,000 donated from local businesses & organisations
- $293,500 contribution from Local Government
- $334,289 contribution from State Government
- $200,000 contribution from Federal Government
