The Allan Labor Government is backing grassroots sporting clubs with more grants now available to help break down participation barriers and get more people involved in community sport.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today announced applications are open for the Sporting Club Grants Program, with grants of up to $5,000 for clubs to improve the skills and knowledge of volunteers, coaches and officials – helping clubs across the state to empower and enhance the experience of volunteers.

Grants of up to $4,000 are also up for grabs to help clubs delivering a new sport or active recreation program.

Clubs can also apply for grants of up to $1,000 to purchase uniforms and equipment, and $750 travel grants are available to help clubs participate in competitions away from home.

Previous recipients include Westerfoldians Inclusive Running Club in Doncaster East who scored more than $1,900 to improve their volunteers’ coaching skills, and a $2,000 investment has helped coaches from Ballarat Gold Swimming Club get their pool lifeguard qualifications.

The Victorian Skateboarding Association was able to host dedicated learn to skate sessions for community members from disadvantaged backgrounds thanks to a $4,000 boost, and seven up and coming cricketers from the Afghan Youth Association of Australia got their chance to compete at the first International Community Twenty20 cricket league in Wollongong last May thanks to $5,250 in travel grants.

The Sporting Club Grants Program has injected more than $17 million into thousands of community sport and recreation clubs across the state since 2015.

The program is backed by the Regional Community Sport Development Fund that is delivering infrastructure upgrades and other programs including the Regional Community Sport Infrastructure Fund to help more regional Victorians get active and be part of their local sporting club.

From playground redevelopments to new sporting precincts, investments like these provide high-quality and accessible places for Victorians to reap the benefits of sport and active recreation. These projects are all about creating jobs, stimulating local economies, and improving the health, wellbeing, and social outcomes for Victorian communities.

Applications close 7 October 2024. For more information and to apply for Sporting Club Grants Program visit sport.vic.gov.au.