Grants helping First Nations athletes achieve

THE Victorian government is backing more First Nations athletes to take part in sport with a new round of grants delivered to support athletes.

Geelong MP Christine Couzens announced grants from the latest round of the Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program for Geelong earlier this month.

The program delivers grants of up to $1,000 for team uniforms and equipment, and up to $2,500 per team for travel costs so clubs can participate in both Victorian and national tournaments.

Individuals can also get access to up to $250 to purchase sporting uniforms and equipment, and up to $750 for their own travel costs.

Sharing in more than $67,000, Geelong recipients include the Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative, which will receive $6,000 for uniforms for its Under-14 boys and Under-16 girls basketball teams.

“I’m proud to back young First Nations athletes in Geelong to play the sports they love — this program makes participation easier supporting athletes with the uniforms, equipment they need or travel to get to their games,” Ms Couzens said.

The Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program has provided almost 500 grants to community sport clubs and First Nations individuals, building stronger connections between the community sport sector and Victoria’s Indigenous communities.

Applications for a second round of grants for Aboriginal sporting carnivals or uniforms or equipment open on November 4, while applications for athlete participation support opened on July 3 and will remain open until the funding allocation is exhausted, with applicants to be notified of an outcome within four weeks.

For more information about the program and the latest successful recipients, head to sport.vic.gov.au/funding/aboriginal-sport-participation-grant-program