Tuesday, 2 June 2020

Community sporting clubs, associations and local councils in Eastern Victoria can now make their pitch for a share of more than $100 million in Andrews Labor Government grants dedicated to supporting grassroots players, volunteers and building sports infrastructure.

Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing announced that applications are open for the Andrews Labor Government’s $40 million Community Sport Sector Short-term Survival Package and $68 million Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.

With more than three million Victorians involved in community sport and recreation – now 12,000 clubs and associations across the state will be able to apply for support under the Community Sport Sector Short-term Survival Package to help with basic running costs and to support readiness to return to play.

The Community Sport Sector Short-term Survival Package is a key component of the Government’s $1.7 billion Experience Economy Survival Package and will help associations, leagues and clubs maintain their viability and connection to their communities, assist the return to training and play, and support members.

Eligible organizations in Eastern Victoria will be able to apply for funding in four categories, with grants available for amounts:

• Up to $350,000 for large state sporting associations
• Up to $200,000 for smaller state sporting associations, regional sports assemblies and academies, and other state sport and recreational bodies
• Up to $15,000 for associations and leagues
• $1,000 for individual clubs.

Local councils and alpine resort boards, with the support of local sporting bodies, will now also be able to apply for funding of between $1 million and $10 million for shovel-ready projects as part of the new Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.

The program is part of the Government’s $2.7 billion Building Works stimulus package towards shovel-ready projects – big and small – to stimulate jobs and economic activity and deliver fantastic new projects to local communities.

The grants are part of the Government’s strong investment in supporting community sport and active recreation in these challenging times.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing

“Ensuring community sport and active recreation comes back better than ever is critical to our economic and social recovery, and to our physical and mental wellbeing.”

“We’re making it that little bit easier to pay the bills and build for the future so even more Victorians can make a return to sport, and do so at great facilities.”

“I encourage community sports and councils to take this opportunity and apply for these grants that can help make a real difference to the future of sport and recreation in our local communities.”