Many of Victoria’s top emerging athletes and sports teams will be supported to compete at events and meets, thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today announced applications are open for the latest round of the Athlete Pathway Travel Grants Program.

The program was launched by the Labor Government in 2015 to aid athletes, teams, coaches and officials cover travel and accommodation costs associated with competing at regional, state and national level.

It also supports emerging athletes attending pathway development programs and training and provides funding for athlete development beyond travel costs including fees for training camps, competition entry and registration.

Grants of up to $6,000 are available for recognised state sporting associations, regional academies of sport and state sport and active recreation bodies. Victorian sport and active recreation clubs can also apply for grants of up to $2,000.

Recently the program pitched in $6,000 towards travel costs for the Victorian Aces to compete at this year’s Australian Women’s Baseball Championship in South Australia.

It also provided $2,000 for the Ballarat Gold Swimming Club to send their senior swim team to compete at the 2022 Australian National Short Course Championships in Sydney.

Since 2015, more than 1,700 grant recipients have received more than $3.1 million to help pursue their goals.

The program is part of the Government’s commitment to increase local participation, stimulate local economies and create new jobs and volunteer opportunities.

Applications for the current round will be open until 20 March 2023. For further information visit sport.vic.gov.au.