Voucher program returns as accessibility paramount in junior sport

THE latest round of Get Active Kids vouchers has opened and Geelong clubs are using them to keep sport accessible.

Eligible families can apply for a $200 for their child, up to the age of 18, to cover the costs of membership and registration fees to a sporting club.

The $23m project, backed by the state government, has provided more than 225,000 vouchers since 2020.

Of those children who received vouchers, nearly 20 per cent joined a sporting club for the first time.

Geelong Sharks Rugby League Club president Damien Tangata said the vouchers are essential for families trying to get their children in sport.

Every year since the club was founded, they have fielded an additional junior team.

The club aims to continue expanding its junior program into the future, for boys and girls in tackle and league tag.

“We’ve had an explosion in the under sixes, sevens, and eights,” Tangata said.

“We have introduced girls only tackle this year too with the under 12s and we have about 15 girls in that team. We’ve had girls playing mixed with the boys but it’s exciting for them to play together this year.”

Tangata knows parents are feeling the financial strain, especially when it comes to extracurricular activities. Registrations are just part of the cost of sport, with equipment, travel and uniforms adding further pressure.

It is one of the reasons why the Sharks are part of the Get Active program.

“It takes a lot of stress off the families that are struggling financially,” Tangata said.

“We also give them a discount to families who have more than three kids in the club, because it can be quite expensive having three or four kids in sport.

“We understand that, and we want to give back to our members and our community win whatever way we can to help them in the long run.”

More than 40,000 Get Active Kids vouchers are available in the current round of applications.

Successful applicants must provide their participating club with their code to have the funds deducted from their registration.

Clubs not yet registered in the program can apply before the next round of funding.

Round 10 of Get Active Kids voucher applications are open until 11 April unless allocation is exhausted sooner. Parents must use the vouchers before 29 April, 2026.