Sporting Club Grants Program
The Sporting Club Grants Program provides funding for community sport and active recreation organisations across Victoria.
Important dates
Open: 6 September 2024
Close: 11 October 2024
Program guidelines
About the program
Access to this funding helps grassroots clubs and organisations address barriers in participation, develop safe and sustainable practices and build social and active local communities.
This program assists organisations to:
- purchase uniforms and equipment that are essential for participation, first-aid and safety
- attract, build the capability and retain a skilled workforce – both volunteer and paid
- increase equity, diversity and inclusiveness
- implement good governance practices
- increase participation of individuals and communities who participate less
- create opportunities so Victorians can participate in ways that suit them
- build a robust sector that responds to current and changing community needs
- support athletes to achieve success in their sport.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria listed under Section 4: Applicant eligibility of the Program Guidelines.
Applications are only accepted from community-based organisations involved in the delivery of sport and active recreation in Victoria.
Applicants must be non-government, not-for-profit, operating in Victoria and registered as one of the following entities:
- an incorporated association
- a company limited by guarantee
- an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.
Program dates
Round 1
Funding is available for projects commencing or items purchased from 12 October 2024.
- Applications open: Friday 6 September 2024
- Applications close: 4 pm Friday 11 October 2024
- Notification of outcomes: late December 2024.
Funding Categories
In 2024-25, there are 4 funding categories.
Category 1: On-field Uniforms or Equipment
Up to $1,000 to purchase on-field playing uniforms, participation equipment for competitors and active participants, safety, injury prevention and first-aid equipment.
Category 2: Volunteers and Officials
Up to $5,000 for projects that improve the skills and knowledge of volunteers, coaches and/or officials and projects that improve volunteer-retention.
Category 3: Access and Engagement
Up to $1,000 for tools and resources that improve accessibility, governance and strengthen engagement with members and participants.
OR
Up to $4,000 to plan and deliver a new or modified sport or active recreation program.
Category 4: Competitors
Up to $750 towards the costs of travel, accommodation and event registration fees for individual athletes selected to attend representative competition, selection trials or training camps.
Ineligible applicants
Categories 1, 2 or 3
Organisations that received a grant through categories 1, 2, or 3 of the 2023-24 Sporting Club Grants Program are ineligible to apply for categories 1, 2 or 3 in 2024 25.
Before applying for categories 1, 2 or 3, please check the list of previous grant recipients available below.
Category 4: Competitors
Organisations that received $6,000 or more in total funding through grants received in category 4 of the 2023 24 Sporting Club Grants Program are ineligible to apply for category 4 in 2024 25.
Before applying for category 4, please check the list of previous grant recipients available below.
Applications must be submitted by eligible organisations on behalf of athletes – we do not accept applications directly from individuals.
Application questions and guidance
Category 1: Application Questions and Guidance Document – Category 1 (PDF 465.98 KB) 
Category 2: Application Questions and Guidance Document – Category 2 (PDF 535.05 KB)
Category 3: Application Questions and Guidance Document – Category 3 (PDF 462.32 KB)
Category 4: Application Questions and Guidance Document – Category 4 (PDF 423.4 KB)
What's new?
Number of applications permitted
Organisations can submit up to 10 applications in total, comprising:
- a maximum of 1 application in either Category 1 OR Category 3, plus
- a maximum of 1 application in Category 2, plus
- a maximum of 8 applications in Category 4.
Prioritised projects
In addition to the existing list from the previous round, priorities for 2024-25 include:
- projects that support more regional Victorians to get and remain physically active, and
- projects that support the sustainability, capability and capacity of community sport volunteers and the paid workforce in regional Victoria.
Apply now
Applicants must submit a completed application via the DJSIR Grants Portal before 4 pm on Friday 11 October 2024.
Below, please select the category you wish to apply for then click Start a new application. When prompted, either create a new account or log-in using an existing account on the Grants Portal.
- Category 1: On-field Uniforms or Equipment – Applications closed.
- Category 2: Volunteers and Officials – Applications closed.
- Category 3: Access and Engagement – Applications closed.
- Category 4: Competitors – Applications closed.
Conditions of grant
2024-25 Sporting Club Grants Program Conditions of Grant (PDF 147.1 KB)
2024-25 Sporting Club Grants Program Conditions of Grant – Accessible Version (DOCX 119.93 KB) 
Additional information
See the following resources for more information:
- Acknowledgment and publicity guidelines for Sport and Recreation Victoria grant recipients
- Victorian Government funding requirements for Services to Children
- Sporting Club Grant Program – child abuse insurance examples (PDF 117.09 KB)
- Sporting Club Grant Program – child abuse insurance examples – Accessible version (DOCX 169.32 KB)
Previous Sporting Club Grants Program recipients
2023-24 Sporting Club Grants Program Successful Recipients (DOCX 364.01 KB)
2022-23 Sporting Club Grants Program Successful Recipients (DOCX 381.69 KB)
2021-22 Sporting Club Grants Program Successful Recipients (DOCX 332.93 KB)
2020-21 Sporting Club Grants Program Successful Recipients (DOCX 559.44 KB)
2019-20 Sporting Club Grants Program Successful Recipients (DOCX 338.58 KB)
2018-19 Sporting Club Grants Program Successful Recipients (DOCX 355.75 KB)
2017-18 Sporting Club Grants Program Successful Recipients (DOCX 359.62 KB)
2016-17 Sporting Club Grants Program Successful Recipients (DOCX 337.94 KB)
2015-16 Sporting Club Grants Program Successful Recipients (DOCX 345.43 KB)
Frequently asked questions
Below are some FAQs. For more detailed information, please refer to the Program Guidelines.
How many applications can I submit?
Organisations can submit up to 10 applications in total, comprising:
- a maximum of 1 application in either Category 1 OR Category 3, plus
- a maximum of 1 application in Category 2, plus
- a maximum of 8 applications in Category 4.
A separate submission must be completed for each application.
If organisations submit more applications that the permitted limit stated above, only the first application(s) submitted by date and time will be considered. All subsequent applications are ineligible.
Our organisation received a grant in 2023-24, can we apply again this year?
Organisations that received a grant through categories 1, 2 or 3 of the 2023-24 Sporting Club Grants Program are ineligible to apply for categories 1, 2 and 3 in 2024-25. Before applying, please check the 2023-24 list of grant recipients.
Organisations that received $6,000 or more in total funding through grants received in Category 4 of the 2023-24 Sporting Club Grants Program are ineligible to apply for funding through Category 4 in 2024-25.
Can I use an auspice organisation?
Yes.
If the applicant is not registered as an eligible legal entity, they can nominate an auspice organisation to take legal and financial responsibility of the grant, if the application is successful. The applicant must attach a letter from the auspice organisation to their application, to confirm they agree to act as your auspice organisation.
For full details of auspice organisations’ eligibility requirements, please refer to the Program Guidelines.
Will you contact me if there are problems/questions about our application?
No.
Applicants will not be contacted during the assessment phase to clarify or request further information. Applications are assessed on the details submitted, to maintain fairness and the integrity of the application process.
Do I need child abuse insurance for my project?
Category 1 – child abuse insurance is not required.
Category 2 – child abuse insurance is required if the grant funds will be directly used to deliver services to children under the age of 18 years on a recurring basis.
Category 3 – child abuse insurance is required if the grant funds will be directly used to deliver services to children under the age of 18 years on a recurring basis.
Category 4 – child abuse insurance is not required.
For projects deemed to require the applicant to hold child abuse insurance, the applicant must:
- have child abuse insurance with a minimum insured amount of $5 million per claim, exclusive of public liability insurance, and
- provide Sport and Recreation Victoria with written advice from the insurance provider, uploaded to the grant application. The whole insurance policy will be required, not solely the certificate of currency.
Example scenarios for projects that may or may not require child abuse insurance are provided in the ‘Sporting Club Grant Program – child abuse insurance examples’ document in the Additional Information section above.
For further clarification on child abuse insurance requirements for this program, please contact Sport and Recreation Victoria before submitting your application.
Contact information
For preliminary information on this grant program please call 1800 325 206 or contact us.
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