- Published:
- Tuesday 5 December 2023
The future of sport is bright in regional Victoria, with a new fund opening today to help local clubs update their infrastructure and facilities to make way for more locals to play – thanks to the Allan Labor Government.
As part of the Labor Government’s investment in regional Victoria, Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today opened the new Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund (RCSIF) – with funding of up to $60 million available.
The RCSIF is funded through the Regional Community Sport Development Fund and the All-Abilities Sport Fund – announced in July – following consultation with regional communities who said new infrastructure and upgraded facilities were needed to keep local sport thriving.
Regional sporting clubs and community organisations are encouraged to work with their local council or Alpine Resorts Victoria to bring their best ideas forward and make their club accessible and future-ready for generations to come.
The four streams cover a wider variety of upgrades to suit a range of clubs:
Up to $3 million available to develop or upgrade multi-sport indoor courts and aquatic facilities through the Indoor Stadium and Aquatic Facilities Stream
Grants up to $1 million available through the Community Facilities Stream to build or upgrade sports pavilions, sports lighting, play spaces and active recreation facilities
The Women and Girls Facilities Stream has grants of up to $1 million for new female friendly change rooms or sports courts to help level the playing field
For the first time there will be a dedicated All Abilities Infrastructure stream that will provide grants of up to $1 million to renovate existing facilities to ensure they are accessible for people with disability.
Complementary grants of up to $50,000 are also available to help boost wider community participation at the upgraded facilities, in partnership with sporting organisations and local disability service providers.
The Fund encourages regional clubs to design the facilities that matter to their local teams and community, with a focus on getting more people involved regardless of their age, gender, background or ability.
Applications for the first round of the Fund are now open. For more information or to apply, visit sport.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence
“Sport is really important to Victorians and this is especially true in our regional towns – this fund will ensure local sporting clubs have the best facilities and infrastructure to get everyone in their community involved.”
“We have fantastic towns all over regional Victoria and local sporting clubs are a big part of a town’s identity – by upgrading their facilities and removing barriers to entry, even more people will be able to get involved with their local sporting club.”
“Through the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund we are making sure regional Victorians of all ages, abilities, backgrounds and genders can be part of the big local sporting events that bring communities together.”