The Victorian Government is supporting state sport associations, state sport and recreation bodies and regional academies get through the pandemic with support from the Community Sport Sector COVID-19 Survival Package.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence announced more than $12.7 million in grants have been approved from the Government’s $40 million package for the sport and active recreation sector.

Almost 70 organisations have been awarded grants under this stream of the package, including Netball Victoria, AFL Victoria, Riding for the Disabled Association of Victoria, Football Victoria and Gippsland Regional Sports Academy.

The grants will help major sport and active recreation organisations keep going in the wake of the necessary cancellation of training, development programs and competition.

Funding will help organisations continue to operate safely, support member clubs and participants and assist with the development of Return to Play plans to reactivate their sports as coronavirus restrictions are gradually eased.

More than three million Victorians are involved in community sport and recreation, with 12,000 clubs and associations across the state, but the sector has suffered significant revenue losses since the onset of the pandemic.

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

More than 5,000 clubs have already received $1,000 grants as part of the package, along with 200 leagues and associations which have shared in almost $1.5 million in funding.

The Victorian Government is also investing $68 million in shovel-ready community sport and active recreation infrastructure projects across the state, to stimulate jobs and economic activity and deliver fantastic new projects to local communities as part of the new $2.7 billion Building Works package.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence

“These grants will provide vital funds for the organisations that support grassroots clubs and associations across the state – the bodies that make it possible for millions of Victorians to play the sports they love.”

“This much needed support will help keep the doors open of our state sporting associations and keep the many people they employ in work.”