Regional grants opening sport to more people

Across regional Victoria, clubs and community organisations are changing that.

Since 2024, Regional All Abilities Participation Grants have provided more than $4.6 million to support 249 projects that create opportunities for people with disability to connect and enjoy being active.

Castlemaine Circus, Wodonga Tennis & Pickleball Centre and Geelong All-Abilities Sports Club are 3 grant recipients that help people get active in fun and welcoming ways.

Giving Circus a go

Castlemaine Circus’ Fly For All is a program for people with disability who want to try circus.

The project started with 2 come and try days, with 13 people taking part. It has now grown into 2 weekly classes, with 22 enrolments across the program.

Participants can try circus, aerials, balance, obstacle courses and other creative movement activities. Trainers adapt each activity to suit different abilities, interests and goals.

The program is also helping participants feel part of the wider circus community. This October, students will create an act for the annual cabaret, Spooked and Spectacular.

For Castlemaine Circus, Fly For All is about more than learning circus skills. It gives people with and without disability the chance to celebrate their achievements together.

Getting more players on court

Wodonga Tennis & Pickleball Centre helps people with disability take part in tennis. They provide coaching for blind and low vision players and wheelchair tennis for juniors.

The centre has supported players aged 7 to 65. Coaches and volunteers, support players to practise, learn and enjoy tennis.

Wodonga Tennis & Pickleball Centre also partnered with the Write Around the Murray Festival to hold WAMbledon, a free all-abilities tennis event. Nearly 80 people took part in September.

The event included blind and low vision tennis and wheelchair tennis. People got on the court and had a go. Junior players also helped coach, showing how inclusive sport can build leadership.

Riding together in new ways

Geelong All-Abilities Sports Club created the Outdoor Adventure Bike Program. The club uses adaptive and tandem bikes, so people can ride with family and friends.

The club runs monthly rides, with locations changing between the Geelong Waterfront and the Barwon River.

For one family, the program made a special moment possible. Scott Smith, President of Geelong All-Abilities Sports Club, took participant Jamie-Lee for a bike ride. Her mother was emotional watching her daughter ride a bike for the first time!

The program can help families enjoy new experiences together. Rides can also be organised to suit people’s schedules.

For more information on the Regional All Abilities Participation Grants and a full list of recipients Regional All Abilities Participation Grants.