Photo: Kicking Goals: Club president Jon Thurlow, Member for Barker Tony Pasin, MRC coordinator Jenny Stirling, and Mayor Erika Vickery.

Limestone Coast Multicultural Soccer Carnival has received a funding boost of $40,000 from the Federal Government’s Fostering Integration Grant program.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin attended the Naracoorte United Soccer Club last Thursday night to announce the $40,000 in funding.

The Fostering Integration Grants program provides up to $50,000 to not-for-profit organisations to help migrants better integrate into Australian life and support initiatives for social cohesion, such as promoting employment and community participation.

Across the country, the Government is providing $9.3 million to organisations working at the grassroots level to assist migrants.

“I’m really proud of our local community’s migration settlement,” Mr Pasin said.

“The Limestone Coast’s sustained success in settlement and social cohesion takes a combined effort, from individuals, from civil society and all levels of government who join together to make our community such a great place to live.

“The Fostering Integration Grants program is about supporting organisations that work at the grassroots level in their community and have a strong understanding of the challenges facing migrants.

“I’ve worked with the council and advocated at a Federal level for funding to help this project because I believe this to be a fantastic initiative.”

The Naracoorte United Soccer Club will also receive $80,000 to upgrade its amenities ahead of the carnival through the Morrison Government’s Community Sport Infrastructure Grant program.

“This is great news for the club in the long term,” Mr Pasin said.

“Our government has prioritised investment in local grassroots sports because we recognise the wider health, social and community benefits that come from greater activity and participating in sport.”