Greater Shepparton City Council has announced two new funding categories as part of the Our Sporting Future Funding grant program in a bid to get more women, girls and youth onto local sporting fields.
Now in its 12th year, the program aims to assist sporting clubs with the implementation of small to medium sized infrastructure development projects to help improve their leagues.
In a program first, two new categories are being added for Round One of the 2021/2022 program which opens today. The new categories, Women and Girls, and Youth Participation, aim to help fund programs that increase opportunities for these minority groups in sporting clubs across Greater Shepparton.
"Council are extremely excited to be able to help fund two new categories for the annual Our Sporting Future Funding grant program," Mayor, Cr Kim O'Keeffe said.
"Council has provided over $1.6 million in funding through these sporting grants over the past 12 years, which has helped give many local clubs the best chance to succeed.
"Council are aware participation rates for women, girls and youth have declined so this initiative is aimed at reversing these trends to give them a chance to get on the field, into coaching or be part of a local committee."
Local clubs can apply to receive between $500 and $10,000 under the Women and Girls category for leadership development programs and programs aimed at increasing participation, skills and training. Clubs can also receive between $500 and $5,000 under the Youth Participation category for development programs, skills training or the purchase of uniforms to increase participation in youth aged teams. Both the Women and Girls, and Youth Participation categories do not require matching funds from the successful sporting clubs.
The original categories of Minor, Major and Sports Aid are still in place and local clubs are able to apply for funding under each of these:
- Majors – for projects on a $1 for $1 basis but not exceeding $30,000
- Minors – for projects on a $1 for $1 basis but not exceeding $15,000
- Sports Aid - funding between $500 and $5,000 (without matching contributions) for special sports projects
Applications for each of the categories close on Friday, August 20, with Cr O'Keeffe encouraging local clubs to get involved and apply for their share of funds.
"Council cannot wait to see the positive effects of these two additional funding categories within the local sporting community," she said.
"Grassroots sporting clubs offer so many benefits to our local youth by teaching them a range of skills including teamwork, participation and positive communication. I encourage all sporting clubs within Greater Shepparton who are eligible for the funding to get their applications in by the closing date next month."
