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Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program

The Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program provides grants to assist Aboriginal Victorians to participate in Aboriginal sporting carnivals, buy sports uniforms and equipment, as well as funding for travel and accommodation expenses for athletes to compete in state and national competitions.
  • Funding categories

    The program has three categories:

    CATEGORY 1 – Aboriginal Sporting Carnivals

    Grants up to $1,500 for travel and accommodation costs for teams to participate in State-wide or National Carnivals

    One application per team

    Where an applicant wishes to apply for multiple teams, a separate application must be submitted for each team.

    For example, the applicant must submit separate applications for each of the women’s and men’s teams to compete in a state-wide or national carnival and/or tournament.

    Eligibility requirements

    • All individuals within teams must identify as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
    • The team must participate in an Aboriginal sporting carnival and/or tournament during January – September 2023.
    • All teams must reside in Victoria unless individuals are located close to state borders that participate in Victorian competitions / carnivals.

    Eligible Expenses

    • All costs (up to $1,500) associated with travel and accommodation for teams to compete in Victorian or national sporting carnivals or tournaments

    Ineligible Expenses

    • Costs other than those directly related to travel and accommodation (for example: food, entrance fees and uniforms are excluded).
    • Travel and accommodation expenses not for the purpose of attending the identified sporting event.

    CATEGORY 2 – Uniforms or Equipment

    Grants of up to $1,000 for teams, clubs and associations to purchase sporting uniforms and/or equipment and up to $250 for individuals.

    One application per team

    Where an applicant wishes to apply for multiple teams that require new uniforms and/or equipment, a separate application must be submitted for each team.

    For example, the applicant must submit separate applications for the women’s and men’s teams for uniforms and/or equipment.

    Eligibility requirements

    • All individuals within teams must identify as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
    • The team must participate in an Aboriginal sporting carnival and/or tournament during January – September 2023.
    • All teams must reside in Victoria unless individuals are located close to state borders that participate in Victorian competitions / carnivals.

    Eligible Expenses

    • Eligible uniform and equipment expenditure may include but is not limited to:
      • Jumpers
      • Tracksuits
      • Socks
      • Boots
      • Sports bras
      • Bats
      • Match balls
      • Team equipment kits
      • Items for cultural and/or ceremonial purposes
      • Protective equipment including gloves, helmets and batting pads.

    A complete list of eligible uniform and equipment items which can be purchased using grant funds is located in the program guidelines.

    CATEGORY 3 – Athlete Participation Support

    Grants of up to $750 for athletes and coaches to assist with travel and accommodation costs to compete or train in regional, state and national competitions or representative teams.

    Grants of up to $750 per application for athletes and coaches to pay for travel and accommodation costs to compete or train in regional, state and national competitions or representative teams.

    One application per individual

    Please note that where an applicant wishes to apply for individuals competing in the same event or activity, a separate application must be submitted for each participant.

    Eligibility requirements

    • All individuals and teams must identify as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
    • All individuals and teams must reside in Victoria unless individuals are located close to state borders that participate in Victorian competitions / carnivals. .
    • Individuals who are recipients of this category must keep the purchased uniforms and/or equipment.
    • Eligible uniforms and equipment can be purchased between January and September 2023.

    Eligible Expenses

    • Costs associated with travel and accommodation to compete or train in regional, state and national competitions or representative teams.

    Ineligible expenses

    • Costs not directly related to travel and accommodation (for example: food, entrance fees or uniforms are excluded).
    • Travel and accommodation expenses not for the purpose of attending the identified sporting event.
  • Who can apply?

    Aboriginal Individuals and teams that are not affiliated with a club or association can apply for a grant in categories 1 and 2 but must arrange an auspice to manage the grant funding on their behalf through a funding agreement with the department.

    Aboriginal Community groups that are not incorporated may apply for a grant for their community members (Aboriginal individuals or teams) but must have an incorporated association acting as an auspicing body to manage the funding on their behalf through a funding agreement with the department.

    Incorporated sporting clubs and associations or Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations may apply for a grant on behalf of the members (Aboriginal individuals or teams) and will be expected to manage the funding through a funding agreement with the department.

    Auspice organisations Please note that individuals or teams that are not affiliated with a club or association must contact the Aboriginal Programs team advising they require an auspice. The Aboriginal Programs team will advise the individual or team what the process is when entering an auspicing arrangement.

    Previous beneficiaries

    Applicants that meet the criteria set out in these Guidelines and have received a grant in previous rounds of the Program may apply under this Round of the Program but eligible applicants who have not previously received funding from the Program will be prioritised.

    Auspice or Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation supporting eligible applicants must:

    • be non-government, not-for-profit and registered as an incorporated body at the time of application and for the project duration. If an applicant organisation is not registered as an incorporated body, it must arrange for a legally constituted organisation to manage the grant funds
    • possess an Australian Business Number (ABN) or provide a completed Australian Tax Office form (Statement by a supplier) so that no withholding tax is required from the grant payment
    • adhere to and enforce the Fair Play Code (or) their relevant state sporting association code of conduct/member protection policy, which incorporates the Fair Play Code
    • comply with the expectations of the Victorian Anti-doping Policy 2012
    • have satisfactorily met reporting requirements on any grants previously received from Sport and Recreation Victoria
    • have not received any sporting club grants in any round from the previous financial year
    • be aware that it is a requirement of this grant that if an institution has been named in an application or receives a Notice of Redress Liability, they must join or intend to join the National Redress Scheme (the Scheme). For more information on the Scheme please visit the NRS website
  • Application process

    Dates

    Applications Open: February 2023

    Applications Close:  March 2023

    Outcomes to be notified: May 2023

    How will applications be assessed?

    Eligible applications will be assessed against the program guidelines.

    Please note that the assessment process may take at least two months from the closing date. Applicants will receive written notification of the outcome of their application.

    Eligibility does not guarantee success. It is expected that more applications will be received than can be funded.

    Submitting an application

    There are some important steps to consider before submitting an application.

    Step 1: Check your eligibility

    Check the detailed information contained in the grant guidelines to see if your organisation and your proposed activity is eligible. Other important information about this grant program and the application process can be found on the Sport and Recreation Victoria website.

    We highly recommend you contact the Aboriginal programs team to discuss your project.

    Email: aboriginal.programs@sport.vic.gov.au

    Step 2: Apply online using My Grants

    To apply, go to the 'Apply now' section on this web page.

    Make sure you have the information you need on hand including required documents and click on ‘Start new application’ to submit your application through Grants Online. You will receive an Application.

    Number when you submit an application online. Please quote your Application Number in all correspondence relating to your application.

    Advantages of applying online

    Submitting your application online through Grants Online ensures it is received by Sport and Recreation Victoria immediately and can be processed in the most efficient way. If you need assistance with applying online, please email the Aboriginal Programs team on aboriginal.programs@sport.vic.gov.au, Monday to Friday.

    Attaching required information

    You can attach documents to your online application as long as they are in an acceptable file type (e.g. Word, Excel, PDF, or JPEG) and don’t exceed the maximum file size. Remember these tips:

    • attached files must not be larger than 5MB in size
  • Apply now
    • Category 1 Sporting Carnivals - (applications closed)
    • Category 2 Uniforms or Equipment - (applications closed)
    • Category 3 Athlete Participation Support - (applications closed)
  • Grant acquittal

    Organisations successful in obtaining a grant can complete the grant acquittal process by downloading the grant evaluation report and return with supporting documentation as outlined in the report.

    Please return all documentation electronically by email as outlined in the report.

    Grant acquittal can be completed as soon as all grant funds have been spent.

    NOTE: the above report contains interactive form fields - please do not print and hand write in the fields

    An accessible word version of the acquittal form can be obtained by emailing aboriginal.programs@sport.vic.gov.au

  • Program area and assistance

    Read more about Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV)

    For general Sport and Recreation Victoria grant enquiries:
    Email: aboriginal.programs@sport.vic.gov.au
    Open Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm except public holidays

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Last updated on 17/02/2023