Sport Survival Grants available for clubs and associations

Local sports clubs and associations are being urged to apply for COVID-19 survival grants to help with operational costs.

The Community Sport Sector Short-term Survival Package is available to assist community sporting clubs and associations.

The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said local sporting clubs and associations have been hit hard by COVID-19.

“The suspension of community sporting competitions due to the coronavirus has left a hole in the finances of many regional grassroots sporting organisations,” said Ms Bath.

“Our grassroots clubs and associations rely on the weekly raffle, gate takings and canteen sales to sustain their bottom line, pay bills and support the development of players.

“With half a season gone and no play and no spectators, community sporting clubs have lost the ability to generate much needed revenue to keep the lights on their club or association.

The Community Sport Sector Short-term Survival Package provides grants to assist the operational viability of community sport and active recreation organisations who have been impacted by COVID-19 in Victoria.

Funding is available in four tiers:

  1. grants of up to $350,000 available for large state sporting associations;
  2. grants of up to $200,000 available to smaller state sporting associations; regional sports assemblies and academies and other state sport and recreational bodies;
  3. grants of up to $15,000 are available for associations and leagues; and
  4. grants of $1,000 are available for individual clubs.

Ms Bath said our grassroots sporting clubs form the fabric of our country towns.

“Community sport enriches the lives of so many people, socially and physically; their ongoing survival beyond the coronavirus pandemic is paramount,” said Ms Bath.

“With only three weeks to go before these community sporting grants close, I encourage all Gippsland clubs, leagues and associations to putting in an application for a Community Sport Sector Short-term Survival Package.”

For all information on grant guidelines and applications visit Sport and Recreation Victoria’s website https://sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/our-grants/community-sport-sector-coronavirus-covid-19-short-term-survival-package

 

Grants applications close on 15 June 2020.