First Peoples athletes on track for success

Twenty-eight successful recipients have scored grants from our latest round of the Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program to assist with the costs of uniforms, equipment, travel and participation in sport carnivals and tournaments.

The Program provides support for First Peoples athletes aiming to dream big and follow in the footsteps of Australian Paralympian track and long jump athlete Telaya Blacksmith and Melbourne Football Club star Kysaiah Pickett.

Sharing in more than $68,000, recipients include the Black Eagles Netball Club and Cummeragunja Football Club in the Shepparton region.

They will be using $5,600 towards travel costs for their junior boys' and girls’ teams to participate in the upcoming VACSAL State-wide Junior Football/Netball Carnival in September in Bairnsdale.

President of Black Eagles Netball Club and Cummeragunja Football Club Anne Atkinson said, 'This means so much to our community.'

'Being able to have our Black Eagles Netball Club and Cummeragunja Football Club teams represent us at the VACSAL Statewide Football and Netball Carnival in Bairnsdale is something our players and families can be proud of.'

'It brings our community together, gives our young people an opportunity to participate and represent who they are, and strengthens that connection we have through sport.'

Four junior boys' and girls’ teams (under 10’s to under 16’s) from the Yorta Yorta Turtles Basketball Club will also have access to new uniforms and equipment thanks to a more than $2,000 boost.

The Lalor Lions Sporting Club have netted $220 towards new uniforms for 2 of their up and coming basketballers to compete for the club in the Whittlesea City Basketball Association.

This grant program demonstrates the Victorian Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting First Peoples living in Victoria by advancing reconciliation, strengthening cultural connections and creating greater opportunities for First Peoples to participation and thrive in community sport.

Since 2020, the Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program has provided 570 grants to community sport clubs and First Peoples living in Victoria.

For more information about the program and the latest successful recipients visit Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program.