Sports Minister Dale Butler is urging community and sports clubs not to hold out their hands to Government every time they need money but rather to use their own initiative.

His pointed remarks followed yesterday?s Budget in which Government opted to assist the sporting fraternity by offering customs-duty relief to such organisations undertaking construction or renovation as opposed to giving money directly.

Noting that the duty-free concession is currently for one year but is subject to review, he said ?this is to provide relief to those clubs who were concerned that the Government wasn?t going to do anything to help them. This is an indication that we are (going to help clubs)?.

However, he chided those clubs which might not look upon the provision favourably, saying they must not sit back and expect Government to dole out cash.

?There will be no cash grants until clubs go before the Clubs Committee. We are not giving out money willy nilly. Those days are over. Again I say to them get into the Clubs Committee because when we give out money it will be based on the facts,? he said.

?Because what?s happened in the past is that you give $5,000 to one club for fencing and then another club walks in (wanting money) for a roof. We can?t operate like that ? I?m sorry.

?They should not be waiting for Government to do things. They should be exhibiting leadership on their own and, when they do so, that encourages Government and the private sector to help them.?

In announcing the initiative for clubs, Minister of Finance Paula Cox stated that part of Government?s Social Agenda is to find ways to assist those who may feel marginalised in the community.

?While as a Government, we cannot provide something for everyone, we do think it is important and incumbent on us to do more to encourage the development of our sports and communities...To further assist these efforts, the National Budget for 2005/06 provides a further incentive by the provision of customs duty relief on imported capital goods to those recognised national sporting bodies, clubs and community organisations that are engaged in renovating, refurbishing or constructing sport facilities for the benefit of the community.?

The tax break was met with contrasting reaction by two of the Island?s leading club chiefs.

President of Pembroke Hamilton Club (PHC) Chris Furbert welcomed Government?s move to ease community associations.

?I think this tax relief will help clubs when it comes to capital projects. We are going through a major capital project so it?s going to help us tremendously. It will cut down on our costs,? he said, alluding to the elaborate, multi-million-dollar venture earmarked for Stadium Lane in Warwick.

?Community clubs do a lot for Bermuda socially and, with this assistance from Government, I think they will be able to develop further and do even more.?

Cal Blankendal, though, was not as optimistic, reasoning that while it was a ?good thing...a direct cash grant or loan is more beneficial because a small club like ours still has to go find the necessary funding to purchase the items abroad and the majority of the clubs cannot do that?.

?In the end we still don?t have the capital,? said the Western Stars president, adding his club are still hoping to erect a new, two-storey property at their St. John?s Road base.