The Allan Labor Government is backing grassroots sports clubs to break down barriers to participation and help build social and active local communities.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today joined Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny and members of Epping Football Netball Club to announce that 560 recipients are sharing more than $694,000 from the latest round of the Sporting Club Grants Program.
In this round, the program focus is on supporting, celebrating and building the capacity of sports volunteers in vital roles - from administration to coaching and umpiring.
Epping Football Netball Club received $1,000 towards the purchase of women's footy jumpers, whilst Warburton Bowls Club scored $1,000 towards adaptable equipment for all-abilities bowls and Wantirna South Cricket Club and Craigieburn Basketball Association Inc both received $2,000 to upskill volunteer junior coaching staff.
A $1,000 grant will help Healesville Swimming Club develop website content to reduce volunteer workload and strengthen membership connections, and $4,000 will go towards East Gippsland Biathlon Club's launch of their rollerskiing and laser biathlon youth program.
The Program provides up to $1,000 for uniforms, equipment and resources that improve accessibility and engagement; up to $2,000 for projects to strengthen volunteering and officiating; up to $4,000 to deliver a new sport or recreation program and up to $750 to support athlete travel.
The Sporting Club Grants Program has injected more than $16 million in support to thousands of community sport and recreation clubs across the state since 2015.
By providing more opportunities for clubs and organisations to build their capacity, this program goes a long way towards future proofing grassroots sport and recreation and ensuring clubs have the skills they need to take their game to the next level.
A new round of the Sporting Club Grants Program is also set to open in the coming weeks. For more information on the grants and a full list of recipients sport.vic.gov.au
As stated by Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence
"That's why we're backing more clubs with help to purchase uniforms and equipment, and investing in their future through training and development."
"This is about helping to boost memberships, supporting volunteers and getting behind grassroots sport, which is a vital part of local communities."
As stated by President of the Epping Football Netball Club Adrian Onofretchook
"It's been a long-time getting a women's side together, but it's finally going to happen. Now local women will have somewhere to socialise and keep fit doing it."
As stated by Secretary of East Gippsland Biathlon Club Cameron Morton
"Receiving this grant from Sport and Recreation Victoria provides us with funding we wouldn't normally have access to and the ability to provide more summer, winter and modified biathlon programs through far East Gippsland."
