First Nations athletes in Victoria will now have more opportunities to participate in competitions thanks to grants by the Andrews government.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence launched the latest round of the Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program on Monday, which provides funding for athletes for travel, uniforms, equipment and participation in sports carnivals.
Up to $2,500 grants are available per junior team and $1,500 per senior team, with the funding going towards travel and accommodation costs for teams involved in Victorian or national Aboriginal sporting carnivals and tournaments.
There are also grants of up to $1,000 to cover team uniforms and sports equipment.
Individual sportspeople can get up to $250 per person to purchase sporting uniforms and equipment, and up to $750 for travel and accommodation expenses.
Last year, the Naarm Angels Netball Club, was able to attend the 2023 VACSAL Junior Statewide Football Netball Carnival after receiving a $1,500 grant.
And Ballarat basketballer River Sisic got to play in regional tournaments throughout the year, after getting $530 in funding from the program.
Naarm Angels Netball Club Vice President Anita North said the funding was a game changer.
"Our under 15s Naarm Angels Girls Netball team, supporting them to participate in the 2023 VACSAL Junior Statewide Football Netball Carnival, and I'd like to thank the Victorian Government for their support," she said.
Mr Spence said the grants are about helping to launch the next generation of Victorian sporting champions.
"These grants are about getting more people involved in sport, levelling the playing field for our First Nations sports players," he said.
Since the Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program began in 2020, the Victoria Government has given out more than $460,000 to 430 sporting groups or individuals.
"These grants not only support Aboriginal athletes to compete in the sports they love, but they also build important relationships and connections that help strengthen the community sport sector," the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Gabrielle Williams said.
Applications for funding are open until 20 October. For more information or to apply, visit sport.vic.gov.au.
