Sporting events across rural and regional Australia are set to benefit from the Australian Government's Regional Sport Events Fund.
Now open for applications, the fund will support community sporting events with an aim of kick-starting local economies and encouraging visitors back after the impacts of the pandemic.
The grants will also assist rural and regional communities across New South Wales and Queensland affected by flooding.
Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck, said local government areas outside major cities would benefit from the $1.9 million investment from Sport Australia.
"Sport is often the glue that brings rural and regional communities together and this program aims to fast-track the recovery from what's been a very challenging period for these parts of
Australia," Minister Colbeck said.
"Local sporting clubs and associations play an incredibly important role in regional Australia and through this fund, the Australian Government is encouraging communities to come together and celebrate through sport.
"Staging these events in regional and remote communities will also benefit the small businesses that are central to local economies across the country."
More than 400 eligible local government areas (LGAs) across Australia can apply for funding of up to $50,000.
LGAs are encouraged to work with local sporting clubs and organisations to deliver fantastic sports events to their respective communities.
Events can range from "come and try days" to larger events including elite sporting exhibitions and state level competitions that engage the broader community.
Sport Australia Acting CEO Rob Dalton said the resumption of these events would have wide-ranging benefits for regional and remote communities.
"Like so many sectors of our economy, community sport has been hit hard by the pandemic and this fund will support many of the events that were cancelled or postponed to resume," Mr Dalton said.
"This program encourages LGAs to be creative in how they re-engage with their communities through sport and will have substantial flow on effects throughout the rest of the community."
Applications for the Regional Sport Events Fund are now open.
More details about the program, including the Fund Guidelines and closing dates can be found on Sport Australia's Grants and Funding page.
