Geelong clubs share in Change Our Game grants

SEVERAL sporting clubs in the Geelong area will receive grants as part of a Victorian government initiative to provide more and better opportunities for women and girls.

At the weekend, Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence announced the 119 successful recipients of the 2023-24 Change Our Game Community Activation Grants Program.

The program delivers grants of up to $10,000 to community sport and recreation clubs to help inspire women and girls to take part, including new women’s programs, hosting a women’s round as well as opportunities for club leadership roles.

Local recipients among this year’s round of the grants include:

Guild Cricket Club

Leisure Networks Association

Belmont Lions Sports Club

Geelong United Basketball

Geelong Saints Hockey Club

Ocean Grove Soccer Club

Geelong Galaxy FC, and

Portarlington Bowls Club.

Grants are awarded across three streams: participation (up to $10,000), capabililty (up to $10,000) and community leaders (up to $5,000).

Since 2018, more than $2.9 million in funding has been provided to 580 community sport and recreation clubs as part of the Victorian government’s $18.8 million commitment to the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation and Change Our Game initiative.

“I look forward to seeing how the opportunities supported through the Change Our Game Community Activation Grants Program drive practices that support a level playing field for women and girls in community sport and active recreation across Victoria,” Office for Women in Sport and Recreation director Sarah Styles said.

Through the Fair Access Policy Roadmap, launched in August 2022, and the Community Activation Grants Program,

The Victorian government says it is helping community sporting organisations achieve more equitable access and increase the number of women and girls actively taking part in their club.

“These grants are driving change for women and girls right across Victoria and providing new ways to take part in the sports they love within their own local communities,” Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said.

For more information on Change Our Game and the various grants available, head to changeourgame.vic.gov.au