A local sports club in the Yarra Ranges has been awarded pathway grants enabling them to compete at the top level.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today announced that the Victorian Amateur Pistol Association has been awarded a grant from the Government’s Athlete Pathway Grants Program. The association has received $6,000 to attend the National Action Match Championship and State Championships.

The program benefits athletes and teams from a wide range of sport and recreation activities; from surfing to goalball and archery to ten pin bowls and helps address the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on many of our athletes’ travel plans.

Since the grants were introduced by the Victorian Government in 2015, 1630 grants have been awarded, totalling more than $2.9 million helping teams and individual athletes reach their goal.

The grants are part of the Government’s strong commitment to sport and active recreation, gender equality and encouraging all Victorians to get out there and get active.

Since 2014, the Victorian Government has invested more than $1 billion in community sport and recreation infrastructure.

For further information on the Athlete Pathway Grant Program, visit www.sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/our-grants/athlete-pathway-grants-program.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence:

“With athletes slowly returning to competition, the Victorian Government is helping our athletes and future champions by removing the barriers associated with travel and accommodation costs so they can focus on realising their sporting dreams.”

“The Athlete Pathway Grant Program lets our rising athletes take the step from community to national competition.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing:

“The Athlete Pathway Program is giving grassroots clubs and teams across our region the meaningful support they need to participate in elite competition.”

“These grants are a really important part of making our clubs more inclusive and I would urge local teams to grasp the opportunities they present, by applying for funding.”