Get set to level the field
Published: 8 January 2026A new Victorian Government backed grants initiative is helping to develop more pathways and opportunities for people with disability living in regional Victoria to get into sport and active recreation careers.
Applications are now open for eligible organisations to apply for the new Level the Field program.
The initiative aims to increase support for more people with disability to join the sport and recreation workforce in paid and volunteer roles.
It is being delivered by Leisure Networks in partnership with the Victorian Government.
Grant opportunities will be offered under 2 streams:
- Levelling Up – up to $250,000 for projects that focus on employment pathways and opportunities for people with disability, from taking up volunteer roles to entering paid employment in sport and active recreation.
- The Long Game – up to $350,000 for projects that focus on system and organisational change.
Partnerships and collaborations are encouraged to create opportunities for people with disability to take on roles like coaches, officials, team managers, administrators and committee members across all levels and areas of sport and recreation.
Employing people with disability does not only level the field, it makes business sense. It opens up your talent pool with 1 in 5 Australians having a disability.
The focus is on innovative workforce projects that are codesigned, led and run by and for people with disability living in rural and regional Victoria with a clear plan for sustainability beyond the funding period.
State sporting associations, regional sports assemblies, regional local government authorities, state sport and active recreation bodies, health and disability organisations, sport and active recreation leagues or associations and organisations that support participation in sport and active recreation in regional Victoria are amongst those eligible to apply.
Level the Field is made possible by our All Abilities Workforce and Sector Support Program and is part of the $40 million All Abilities Sport Fund that is removing barriers for people with disability to get involved in sport and active recreation in regional Victoria.
Increasing and promoting participation opportunities that give more Victorians a chance to participate in sport and active recreation is a key objective of Active Victoria 2022-2026 – A strategic framework for sport and active recreation in Victoria.
For more information and to apply visit Level the Field.