- WA Government's $10 million funding incentive is a major boost for community sporting groups
- Funding initiative opens under-utilised public school sport facilities for community access
- Incentive program helps schools accommodate after-school use of sport facilities
The start of the new school year also kicks off the opening for applications for the first round of the Western Australian Government's $10 million grants initiative that will increase community use of public school sporting facilities.
The Community Use of School Sporting Facilities Program is a targeted incentive scheme designed to help schools provide community sporting groups access to their sporting facilities.
Delivered by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC), in partnership with the Department of Education, the grants program is designed to fund 'one-off' costs of accommodating community use of WA primary and secondary school sporting facilities, such as basketball courts, ovals and indoor sports halls.
Funds can be used for minor equipment purchases including goalposts, nets, hoops, backboards or netting, through to facility upgrades such as playing surface enhancements for ovals and courts, the installation of gates, locks, and monitoring equipment for safe access outside school hours.
Schools will need to submit an application showing a commitment from a local sporting group wanting regular access to their facilities, which will be formalised through a Community Use Agreement between the school and community group.
The first round of funding opens for applications on 5 February and closes on 21 March 2025.
For more information about the Community Use of School Sporting Facilities Program and to apply, visit the DLGSC website .
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
"The WA Government is pleased to provide this $10 million incentive that will ultimately open up and allow more government-funded sporting facilties to be utilised for local community groups.
"It's a real 'win win' for schools and their communities which will provide more sporting and recreational opportunities through regular out-of-hours use in areas or facilities that may otherwise be under utilised.
"Strong connections and partnerships will be formed between schools and community groups to enable them to provide activities that the community may otherwise not have had access to."
As stated by Education Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"Opening up basketball courts, ovals and indoor sports facilities to communities outside of school hours will encourage more young people to be active and healthy through the enjoyment of local sports activities.
"The Cook Government's incentive program will be particularly useful in regional and outer metropolitan areas where community sports facilities may be limited.
"This program has significant social and economic benefits for schools and community groups alike."
