The Samford Sporting Association has kicked a goal over summer, one of ten local non-profit organisations to benefit from a sporting gesture from the Queensland Government.

The groups will share in more than $135,000 in funding from the State Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund, which provides one-off grants of up to $30,000.

As well as the Samford Sporting Association, which will use its funding to purchase a tractor and soccer goals, the Strathpine-based South Pine Community Kindergarten and Preschool Association also received the maximum grant allocation.

Samford Sporting Association President Mike Clahsen said in the past the organisation, which operates Samford Football Club at Harold Brown Park, had sometimes found seeking funding problematic.

“A portion of the new Samford Parklands has been set aside for us and our move there has been slated for quite some time,” Mr Clahsen said.

“So where we’re currently located we haven’t been able to improve and in the past we kept getting knocked back (for funding to upgrade the existing facility) because they know we’re eventually moving.

“So we try to get equipment that can be easily moved from one place to another.”

Mr Clahsen said aerating the ground’s playing surface with the club’s new tractor would ensure the safety of Samford’s 650 registered players.

South Pine Sports Association and Pine Central Holy Spirit Rugby League Club will also upgrade spectator and player facilities at their home bases at Brendale and Bray Park, while Albany Creek Excelsior Netball Club will purchase office equipment.

The Cedar Creek Hall Association has received $20,502 for hall upgrades, while the Dayboro Community Kindergarten and Preschool Association has $10,668 to purchase a copier, carpet, furniture and bike racks.

Other local grants recipients were Mt Nebo’s Upatree Arts Co-operative, the Albany Creek Garden Club and the Australian Red Cross at Strathpine.

Member for Everton Murray Watt said the grants would provide “much-needed money to groups that work with the community”.

“Queensland is lucky to have organisations like these working for the community,” Mr Watt said.

“Through grant funding, these groups are able to provide services and opportunities to those who might not otherwise have them.”