Sport and recreation organisations in the South West will be able to get more locals involved in physical activity, thanks to a boost in Victorian Government funding.
The Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP today announced 2009 Country Action Grant Scheme and Victalent funding to strengthen local grassroots sport and recreation organisations.
Ms Tierney said the South West Sports Assembly and the Warrnambool Touch Football Association in the South West were among 143 projects to share in the $180,000 funding package.
“Creating more accessible sport and recreation opportunities is a great way to get more Victorians involved in physical activity,” Ms Tierney said.
“Most importantly, these grants help organisations operating at the local level gain new skills and make physical activity more appealing to everyone in the community,” Ms Tierney said.
In the South West the grants will provide:
• $3,500 for the South West Sports Assembly Inc to employ a consultant to facilitate a strategic planning workshop for some new clubs so they have a plan and direction for the future. This will provide these clubs with ready made strategic plans for the future.
• $5,000 to the Warrnambool Touch Football Association to train touch football referees and coaches to help establish a new competition. The funding will also provide training for committee members.
The Country Action Grant Scheme funds projects which help organisations to operate more effectively. It supports attendance at relevant training courses and helps organisations provide accessible sport and recreation opportunities for the local community.
Ms Tierney said Victalent grants contribute to travel costs for officials, coaches, athletes and teams who travel extensively in order to train and compete.
Under the 2009 Victalent program a number of South West sporting clubs have received funding including:
• $1,000 for the Warrnambool Motocross Club Inc
• $500 for the Portland Callisthenics Club
• $500 for the Portland Hockey Club
• $500 for the South Warrnambool Football/Netball Club
“Both programs recognise the important role local sport and recreation organisations play in creating physical activity opportunities for people of all ages and abilities,” she said.
For further information on the grants visit www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au