Lockdown grants for sporting clubs

Wimmera-mallee sporting and recreation clubs forced to cancel or postpone events due to recent COVID-19 lockdowns can apply for cash grants to defray costs.

Community Sport Minister Ros Spence announced the application deadline for the State Government’s Sporting Club Grants Program had been extended to August 27.

The current round of the program provides $2000 grants for eligible clubs and community organisations affected by the July lockdown or most recent lockdown, which finished at 11.59pm on Monday.

The grants are available to Victorian sport and active recreation organisations for irrecoverable costs due to cancelled events, including cancellation fees for facilities and payments to coaches and officials, as well as the loss of perishable goods and booking fees.

“This is a vital lifeline for our sports clubs hit hardest by the effects of the latest restrictions, that’s why we’re getting on with extending this support,” Ms Spence said.

“I encourage clubs left out of pocket to take advantage of this initiative, which is supporting clubs through these difficult times and will help when sports can safely resume.”

Ms Spence said to date, the Labor government had provided more than 230 sporting club grants under the program’s events support category to Victorian clubs affected by lockdowns this year.

She said the Sporting Club Grants Program was part of the government’s commitment to making sport more accessible and inclusive, stimulate local economies, build sustainable sport and recreation and volunteer opportunities and increase local participation.

People can visit sport.vic.gov.au/grantsand-funding for more information about the program or to apply.