Victorian Government’s Sporting Club Grants Program applications approaching close date for 2023

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Sporting Club Grants Program 2023

With the 2023 football season done and dusted, Victorian grassroots football clubs and organisations are invited to apply for the Victorian State Government’s Sporting Clubs Grants Program, with Round 1 of funding closing 4pm, Thursday October 12.

The program’s aim is developing safety and sustainability within grassroots football clubs, as well as driving social and active local communities.

The Sporting Club Grants Program (SCGP) offers grants for a few key issues including:

  • Uniforms and essential participation equipment, first-aid, and safety
  • Increasing equity, diversity, and inclusiveness
  • Create opportunities for Victorians to participate and increase participation in areas which have low participation rates.
  • Build a sporting culture which reflects the changing community needs.

Applications are only accepted from community-based organisations involved in the delivery of sport and active recreation in Victoria.

Applicants must be non-government, not-for-profit, operating in Victoria and registered as one of the following entities:

  • an incorporated association
  • a company limited by guarantee.
  • an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

Eligible applicants can only submit one application in one of the following three categories:

Category 1: On-field Uniforms or Equipment

Up to $1,000 to purchase on-field playing uniforms, participation equipment for competitors and active participants, safety, injury prevention and first-aid equipment.

Category 2: Volunteers and Officials

Up to $2,000 for projects that provide improvements to volunteering and officiating.

Category 3: Access and Engagement

Up to $1,000 for tools and resources that improve accessibility, governance and strengthen engagement with members and participants, or up to $4,000 to plan and deliver a new sport or active recreation program.

Eligible applicants can submit one or more applications in the following category:

Category 4: Competitors

Up to $750 towards the costs of travel, accommodation and event registration fees for individual athletes selected to attend representative competition, selection trials or training camps. These cannot be for team travel.

Funding notes

Organisations that received a grant from the 2022-23 SCGP cannot apply for funding in categories 1, 2 or 3 are ineligible. All eligible organisations can, however, apply for category 4 funding.

The SCGP website also has walkthrough questions and guidance, to ensure your club makes the best decision for which category will best improve your club’s infrastructure. Particularly coming off the back of the success the Matildas sparked across the country, grassroots clubs are encouraged to integrate girls’ football as much as possible into the community, increasing diversity, and equality of participation.

Applicants must submit a completed online application via the Department’s Grants Portal before 4pm on 12 October 2023. Notification outcomes are to be released in December 2023.

Round 2 of the SCGP will open February 20 2024, and close March 20 2024, with notification outcomes scheduled for May 2024.

You must apply for funding within the category for which your project is supported.  Applications submitted in the incorrect category will be ineligible for funding.

To apply and for more information, click here.

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New initiatives advancing girls’ and women’s football participation

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Image credit: Adelaide United FC

A Government program designed to increase female participation in sports will provide almost 50 clubs and organisations with support to upgrade and develop sporting facilities, programs and equipment.

Around $5.4 million has been allocated for the 2024-25 round of The Power of Her – Infrastructure and Participation Program (IPP), which aims to create more inclusive spaces for girls and women in sports.

The funded projects include things like unisex clubrooms, better lighting and playing surfaces, new uniforms and equipment, and opportunities for professional development.

The South Australian Government led by Peter Malinauskas launched the program to build on the success of the Matildas and the legacy of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

To support the growth of girls’ and women’s football, 14 football clubs will receive nearly $2.4 million in funding this round.

Other sports also benefit from the program, such as basketball, cricket, hockey, netball, gymnastics, and Australian Rules Football, providing more chances for girls and women to get involved and succeed in their chosen sports.

For example, Norwood Basketball Club is receiving $14,600 to launch their ‘Rising Flames’ program, helping girls progress to elite senior levels and develop local talent.

Other projects funded through the program include:

  • Metro United Women’s Football Club, Pooraka: $25,000 for new uniforms.
  • Booleroo Centre Tennis Club: $80,000 to resurface three tennis courts, replace fencing, and build a new equipment shed for their drought-affected club.
  • Cove Netball Hub: $392,700 to build four new netball courts in Hallett Cove.
  • Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club: $750,000 (through the council) for a new clubroom, synthetic soccer pitch, and multi-purpose oval at Munno Para Regional Sportsground, Davoren Park.

So far, over $7.6 million has been distributed through the IPP, with the second year providing more than twice the amount of support compared to the first round.

Nearly half of the infrastructure project recipients this round – including Jervois Bluds Netball Club and Murraylands Gymnastics Academy – are located in regional and greater metropolitan areas, showing the broad impact on communities across South Australia.

The State Government has committed $18 million to the IPP over three years, with $10 million specifically set aside for football.

This effort is part of a wider push to eliminate barriers to female participation, including support for clubs with period products and menstrual health training.

South Australian Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Emily MLC Bourke highlighted the importance of supporting women in sport at a grassroots level.

“Our Government recognises the importance of supporting grassroots sports to ensure girls and women have opportunities to thrive in whichever sport they pursue,” she said in a press release.

“Having the right facilities, programs and equipment in place gives girls and women the space and confidence they need to get involved and stay active with their local club.

“As The Power of Her investment continues to grow, it’s inspiring to see clubs and organisations finding new and creative ways to grow female participation and facilitate high performance pathways in their communities.”

For more information, you can find the full list of 2024-2025 IPP grants here.

Football Queensland’s Drives Infrastructure Growth in the North

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Image credit: Football Queensland Facebook

Football Queensland’s (FQ) strategic master planning and advocacy work is restructuring infrastructure in football across Northern Queensland, with more than $15 million secured in the past year through state and federal pre-election funding commitments and direct FQ investment. These funds are supporting upgrades at local clubs and progressing FQ’s four master-planned Northern football hubs.

The Future of Football reforms launched by FQ in 2020 initiated a statewide master planning process, shaped by a detailed needs analysis across Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Mount Isa. These plans underpin a targeted government engagement strategy, aligning community priorities with a clear roadmap for delivery.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci has welcomed a surge in infrastructure investment across Northern Queensland.

“Our Northern regions have always been strongholds for our game, but their infrastructure needs were overlooked for too long. That’s changing now as we’re now seeing government recognition and support starting to match the scale of football in the region – particularly in the Far North, where participation has grown by over 28% in 2024,” he said via press release.

“In addition to our direct investments into the four Northern hubs each year, our government engagement strategy led by the #EQUALISER campaign has delivered record infrastructure funding commitments statewide, including over $6 million in pre-election commitments during the 2024 state election for North Queensland and currently sitting at more than $9 million ahead of May’s federal election.”

In the Whitsunday Coast, Mackay Football Park’s master plan is delivering upgrades, including new changerooms, seating, and improved maintenance, supported by $800,000 in 2024 state election funding.

In Far North Queensland, a $4.1 million federal commitment is advancing the Macca’s Park master plan in Cairns, with new amenities and a Centre of Excellence to boost the venue’s role.

In the North West, $600,000 is funding major improvements at Mt Isa Football Park, including new female changerooms and upgraded facilities.

In Townsville, progress continues on the Paradise Park master plan, with FQ working to secure funding for a synthetic pitch to support year-round football for over 5,000 participants.

Beyond the hubs, local clubs across the Northern Conference are also benefiting, with over $2 million in pre-election funding committed to lighting upgrades, surface improvements, and amenity enhancements to support the region’s growing participation.

Cavallucci highlighted that the record funding reflects FQ’s long-term strategy, driven by the Future of Football reforms and a unified approach to advocacy.

“These record funding outcomes reflect FQ’s long-term strategic plan for regional infrastructure investment. The Future of Football reforms were critical in enabling FQ to advocate for investment through one unified voice to government. Progress is continuing to be made through a measured approach, as we invest over the next five years to bring to life and deliver the four master plans,” he continued on to say via press release.

Football Queensland will continue to collaborate with all government levels in the lead up to the 2025 federal election and beyond, advancing key projects and ensuring the needs of regional football are prioritised.

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