A $556,000 grant from the Australian Government will make it easier and more enjoyable for women and girls in Orange to play sport and be active.
Let's Move Together is a free program to remove barriers faced by women and girls of all ages to be involved in sport and physical activity.
Orange City Council received $556,000 funding from the Australian Government's Play Our Way Program.
Council would use the funds over the next three years to provide greater opportunities for women and girls to access, participate and remain involved in sport and physical activity
Orange City Council received the funding under the $200 million Play Our Way Program, which was designed to remove barriers, address discrimination and promote equality for women and girls to participate in sport and physical activity.
Orange Deputy Mayor and Sport and Recreation Committee Chair, Cr Tammy Geenhalgh said the Council would use the funds over the next three years to deliver Let's Move Together, providing greater opportunities for women and girls to access, participate and remain involved in sport and physical activity.
'We want as many women and girls in Orange to be able to enjoy, not only the physical and mental wellbeing that comes with playing sport or physical activity, but all the social benefits of belonging to a sporting community as well," Cr Greenhalgh said.
The program will provide funding for local initiatives and ideas to address participation barriers faced by women and girls, especially those from the Indigenous, LGBTQIA+ and multicultural communities, as well as people with disability and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
This includes providing safe, inclusive, quality and sustainable facilities, participation equipment.
In Orange the program will target women and girls who have not had the opportunity to play sport or have not engaged in physical activity for 12 months or more, and will focus on mainstream sports such as netball, basketball, rugby league, touch football, league tag and AFL, as well as wellness programs such as yoga and pilates.
"We'd also like to increase women's participation in the running of our local sporting clubs as coaches and officials, committee members and administrative roles," Cr Greenhalgh said.
Minister for Sport Anika Wells says: "Play Our way is all about creating greater opportunities for women and girls to have an equal chance to get the fun, satisfaction and health benefits sport offers.
"The huge response to this grant opportunity, and the range of great project ideas, show that Australian communities want to be more supportive of women and girls."
Orange City Council is one of 290 organisations around the nation selected to receive Play Our Way funding.
Women and girls wishing to take part in the program should contact Let's Move Together Project Officer Kristen Hunter at Orange City Council's Community Services on 6393 8600.
