Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton (right) pictured with Warren Shire Council Mayor Milton Quigley.

 In a boost to local sport and the regional economy, Warren Shire Council has been awarded an Australian Government grant to host a regional pony club clinic and competition.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said Warren Shire Council will receive $10,000 to host the event as part of the Coalition Government’s Regional Sport Events Fund.

The initiative is supporting regional sport while also helping to boost local economies by attracting more visitors to regional areas to attend sporting events.

“Warren Shire Council, in partnership with the Warren Pony Club, will be hosting a One Day Event Clinic and Competition to enable local and regional riders to enhance their skills and participate in a competition that they would otherwise not be able to attend due to the distance required to travel,” Mr Coulton said.

“To be held from 28 to 30 September, the event will include two days of training by top quality instructors, followed by the one day of competition where the skills gained will be put to the test in the dressage, show jumping and cross-country phases.

“The One Day Event will help to bring the Warren community together, attract visitors and stimulate the local economy after a challenging few years.

“Sport helps strengthen the fabric of community across the Parkes electorate and the Coalition Government is committed to helping people reconnect and celebrate through sport.”

Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck, said the program will have wide-ranging benefits for local communities.

“With funding of up to $50,000 available to host regional sporting events, the Australian Government is helping ensure regional communities can bounce back after the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Colbeck said.

“We’ve seen applications for events range from ‘come and try days’ to larger events such as state sporting championships that will engage the broader community and have flow on effects for local businesses.”

All local councils in regional, rural and remote areas across Australia had the opportunity to apply for funding to host sporting events.

More information about the Regional Sport Events Fund can be found here.