Bringing clubs together for a friendly competition can be time-consuming and costly to put on, particularly for a small not-for-profit community sports club like Greenbank Gators, which recently held its first novice swim meet with a little help from CS Energy.
“We rely heavily on fundraising and sponsorship to cover our annual season costs including pool hire, and end-of-season presentation medals and trophies for the swimmers,” said the club’s president, Tanya Brimle.
“We’re aware of the cost-of-living pressures impacting our region and try to balance access and affordability so kids don’t miss out on these grounds; but we also need to be able to run events sustainably.”
Greenbank Gators is one of the first ever recipients of CS Energy’s Greenbank Battery Community Benefit Fund, established in 2024.
With the funding, the club hosted a swim meet for around 50 swimmers aged 5 to 15 years from nearby clubs Donald Swimming Jimboomba, Donald Swimming McGregor, and Rathdowney Swimming Club, bringing them together for an event fostering fun, encouragement, community connection - and a love for swimming.
“Receiving funding from CS Energy made our event possible,” said Tanya. “We wouldn’t have been able to cover the expenses of running this meet in addition to our regular season expenses without the support.
“It allowed us to keep our entry costs to a minimum for our community swimmers, provide free entry for supporters and spectators, and fund awards for the afternoon.”
The great Australian love
Swimming is a key life skill for young Australians, with many gaining an interest from an early age – be it in the backyard pool, the local swimming spot, or swimming lessons from just a few months of age.
“Our country rightfully has a love affair with the sport,” said Tanya.
“But not everyone who joins a swim club or squad aims to swim competitively, and the thought of competing at swim meets can be daunting for young swimmers with the formality and rules involved.
“Novice swim meets can fill an important gap by giving younger swimmers a taste of what a meet can be liked in a relaxed, fun, supportive, and educational environment.”
With the primary goal being to have a go, try your best, and make new friends, the swim meet provided an opportunity for local swimmers who aren’t registered competitive swimmers the chance to compete alongside other swimmers, win some medals, and improve their own times.
“It helps break down those barriers and anxieties while showing our budding swim stars that they can compete and have fun at the same time,” said Tanya.
“It also helps build confidence, and more experienced swimmers also benefit by supporting and helping the less experienced ones.
“This, we believe, will stimulate some to have a go at competitive swimming, and for others provide a sense of achievement that may keep them in the pool for longer, sustaining long lasting health and related benefits,” Tanya said.
“Sponsorships like this have lasting impacts on our community, that can help us grow further and engage and support more young swimmers, keeping them in community sport for longer.”