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.
