Grants to support sport volunteers

APPLICATIONS are open for two new regional programs financed by the State Government’s $60 million Regional Community Sport Development Fund.

The Sustainable Volunteer Workforce Program, applications for which close on 19 August, will provide grants of up to $450,000 over three years to help a variety of sporting and recreation organisations support volunteers in regional Victoria.

Candidates must be a non-government, not-for-profit incorporated body operating in Victoria, and have a minimum of 40 percent women on their board or committee (or an Office for Women in Sport and Recreation approved work plan).

Meanwhile, the Strengthening Regional Community Sport Program (applications close 9 September) is designed to support organisations with grants of up to $300,000 – over three years – to deliver local strategic projects that help to increase participation on and off the sporting field.

“Volunteers and staff are the backbone of sport in regional communities, without them local clubs and competitions would not exist,” said Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence.

“We’re keen to back more initiatives that increase opportunities for all Victorians to get involved in the sports they love whether as coaches, volunteers or administrators at their local clubs.”

The Regional Community Sport Development Fund as a whole is designed to deliver infrastructure and programs to support more regional Victorian families and children to get involved in sport.

Submissions for both programs will be assessed as per each organisation’s capability and experience. To make an application for either scheme, please visit the Sport and Recreation Victoria website at sport.vic.gov.au/funding.