The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region Melina is encouraging Gippsland schools to apply for a ‘Sporting School Grant’.
Sporting School grants are available to assist schools with program delivery costs due to their location and demographics.
Ms Bath said the grants offered each term by the Australian Sporting Commission are a wonderful way for schools to develop and deliver innovative sporting programs to foster activity, positive learning and engagement outcomes for students in regional and rural areas.
“With declining activity and participation levels in sport and physical activity, schools are being supported to deliver term based programs and partner with sporting organisations to deliver programs before, during and after school,” said Ms Bath.
“It is important to encourage Gippsland students to remain active and participate in a variety of sports throughout their early school years.
“The benefits of sport is well documented. In addition to the many health benefits, it teaches teamwork and problem solving skills and creates social connections in our community.”
The sporting schools grants are available for both primary schools offering Prep through to Year 6 and Secondary schools with students in Years 7 to 8. The objective of the grant program is to encourage lifelong participation in sport and physical activity.
Ms Bath said the sporting programs to be funded are only limited by the School Sports Coordinators’ imagination.
“Schools do not have to apply for traditional sports, they can incorporate experiences in a wide variety of activity to challenge their student’s mindset, skills, provide new experiences and bring together young people of all different backgrounds.
To be eligible schools must meet at least one of the following five criteria – classified special school, have students with special needs, located in an indigenous community, have students that identify as ATSI or are located in a regional or remote location.
Funding of $1,000 to $3,600 per term is available for primary schools and $1,000 and $2,500 for secondary schools. Applications for term 4 open 19 August and close 30 August. Submissions and grant guidelines can be found at https://www.sportaus.gov.au/schools/schools/funding
Ms Bath said with applications for Term 4 opening mid August, now is the time for teachers to put on their thinking caps and plan and apply for sports funding.
“I encourage all Gippsland schools to consider applying for grant to deliver new and innovative sporting opportunities to their students,” said Ms Bath.
