The Victorian Government is proudly supporting a new, game-changing initiative to increase sporting opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds as pandemic restrictions ease.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Youth Ros Spence today launched the CMSport program, announcing the Government will provide $300,000 to kick-start its work.

Through CMSport, the Centre for Multicultural Youth will deliver training in inclusion and diversity for sporting associations, regional sports assemblies and local sporting clubs across the state, and assist with the development of mentoring opportunities for multicultural young people.

It will also deliver multicultural community forums and build partnerships to boost good practice across the sporting sector and increase inclusive opportunities for multicultural young people.

Young people from multicultural communities have lower participation rates in sport, often due to negative experiences of racism and other barriers.

This program will foster more inclusive organisations and offer young people an opportunity to build a sense of belonging within their communities, while learning new skills and trying new experiences.

It builds on the Government’s investment of $450,000 earlier this year to support sporting organisations to deliver mentoring and skill-building activities to African and Muslim young people.

To learn more about CMSport, visit cmy.net.au/cmsport.