Backing regional sport, volunteers and workforce
Published: 5 July 2024The Victorian Government is opening more doors for sport volunteers and staff across regional Victoria, with new programs that will strengthen and support the sector in the years ahead.
Applications are now open for the new Sustainable Volunteer Workforce Program and the Strengthening Regional Community Sport Program.
The new Sustainable Volunteer Workforce Program will support organisations to develop game changing workforce projects with grants of up to $450,000 available, supporting initiatives and partnerships that help attract and retain sport volunteers and staff, reduce volunteer workload, and ultimately increase participation opportunities for Victorians on and off the field.
Eligible organisations include state sporting associations, state sport and active recreation bodies and regional sports assemblies with experience in supporting volunteers and staff in the sector.
It complements the launch of the Strengthening Regional Community Sport Program that’s supporting state sporting organisations with grants of up to $300,000 to increase collaboration and partnerships, remove barriers and create opportunities for participation in sport, particularly for under-represented groups.
Executive Officer for GippSport, Dan Poynton, said clubs and volunteers are the backbone of community sport.
‘It’s great to see the government investing in strengthening and growing community sport in regional Victoria to help it prosper into the future,’ he said.
President of the Gippsland United Football Club, Peter O’Dea said, ‘It’s great to see that the government is investing to help provide more support for volunteer sporting clubs and leagues across regional Victoria.’
‘These programs will help clubs like ours to provide better opportunities for people across regional Victoria to participate in sport as players, volunteers, coaches and officials,’ he said.
Both programs are part of the new $60 million Regional Community Sport Development Fund that is delivering infrastructure and programs to support more regional Victorian families and children to get involved in sport.
Supporting the development of a highly skilled sport workforce is a key objective of Active Victoria 2022-2026 – A strategic framework for sport and active recreation in Victoria, which will ensure a strong and sustainable sports industry for Victoria.
For more information and to apply visit: