Monday 8^th February 2021

The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with helping local communities transform sports facilities, build female friendly change facilities and light up more sports fields through the new 2021 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today announced the 2021 round of the fund is now open for applications.

Grassroots sports clubs are the lifeblood of our towns, and they deserve modern, safe and inclusive facilities with room to grow and welcome more participants than ever before, especially women and girls.

The 2021 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund is investing up to $22 million for projects that develop local sports infrastructure. The Fund will improve wellbeing outcomes and support participation by disadvantaged communities and under-represented groups through the development of high-quality, accessible, community sport and active recreation infrastructure.

There is a range of grant opportunities across five funding streams including Better Indoor Stadiums, Female Friendly Facilities, Community Sports Lighting, Facilities for Active Seniors and Scoreboards and Fixed Equipment.

The fund continues the Andrews Labor Government’s commitment to increasing the number of women and girls participating in sport, delivering more multi-sport indoor courts, improving sports field capacity and enabling more senior Victorians to be physically active.

Projects to receive grants from the previous round of the fund include $500,000 towards a brand-new multi-use, female friendly pavilion at Trafalgar Recreation Precinct, and $250,000 towards new athletic track floodlighting at Rieschiecks Reserve in Doncaster East.

The fund also helps generate economic activity and hundreds of jobs for planners, architects, engineers, project managers, builders, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, maintenance staff, facility managers and operational personnel. Sourcing local materials will also enable many more Victorian businesses to thrive in these uncertain times.

Interested clubs are advised to contact their Local Government Authority or Alpine Resort Board to assist with the application process. For more information or to apply online visit www.sport.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“Sport and active recreation is the heart and soul of our local communities. Unfortunately, many clubs and communities are struggling with run down infrastructure.”

“With more and more women and girls signing up to play in Eastern Victoria we are getting on with upgrading infrastructure so clubs can keep up with soaring demand, while also making them accessible and more inclusive.”

“I urge councils and sporting organisations to partner and apply for projects that will make a real difference to the lives of Victorians.”