Building on momentum generated by the health promotion foundation’s successful This Girl Can – Victoria campaign, the new funding will help local sport clubs across Victoria deliver more opportunities for women and girls to get active.

The grants will also provide more social, flexible and accessible sport programs, as well as more opportunities for people from disadvantaged communities to take part in sport.

VicHealth will be supporting many local football, cricket, soccer, and netball teams to capitalise on the huge demand from Victorian women and girls who want to get active and play sport.

VicHealth has also funded some less common activities including BMX riding, kayaking, canoeing and croquet.

Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos said the Active Club Grants program would help more Victorians become healthier and more physically active.

“Getting active has enormous benefits for our physical and mental health. This initiative is creating many new and exciting opportunities for people to get active, play sport and enjoy the benefits of a healthier lifestyle,” Minister Mikakos said.

“We want to support Victoria’s hardworking grassroots clubs to get more people – regardless of their age, gender or skill level – active and playing sport.”

Active Club Grants will also support clubs offering modified programs to reach more Victorians who face barriers to participate including sitting volleyball for people with lower limb impairments, All Abilities Cricket for children living with autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and lawn bowls for local Muslim women.

VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said the grants were about making sport more accessible to people who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to play.

“Our Active Club Grants will mean more opportunities for Victorians to get moving in a fun, inclusive and social environment,” Ms Rechter said.

“Our This Girl Can – Victoria campaign continues to sweep across Victoria, encouraging women to smash old-fashioned stereotypes about what sport women should participate in.

“This funding will help clubs capitalise on this momentum by creating more opportunities for women and girls to play sport and help less active Victorians find their sporting passions and get involved.”

As part of VicHealth’s long-term plan to get more Victorians living healthier and happier lives, this round of Active Club Grants is providing 156 grants of up to $3,000 and nine grants of up to $10,000 to community sport clubs throughout Victoria.

For more information on VicHealth’s Active Club Grants, or to see the full list of local clubs that have received a grant, please visit www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/activeclub

Local case studies, statistics and interview opportunities are available on request.

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Media Contact:

Rachel Murphy, VicHealth Senior Media Advisor on 03 9667 1319, 0435 761 732 or  [email protected]