Download media release

As part of VicHealth’s long-term plan to get more Victorians living healthier lives, Active Club Grants provide funding to community sport clubs to start up new social programs and women and girls’ teams to make it easier and more attractive for less active Victorians to play sport.

Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy, said the Active Club Grants program has helped thousands of Victorians become more active.

“Getting active is so important for our health and Victoria’s grassroots sports clubs play a vital role in helping people in the community to keep fit and healthy,” Minister Hennessy said.

“Active Club Grants is about making club sport more accessible, so everyone can get involved in the sports they love regardless of their age, gender or ability.”

Minister for Sport John Eren welcomed the new funding for community sports clubs.

“Getting involved in sport doesn’t have to be competitive – you don’t have to be a star athlete to join in,” Minister Eren said.

“We want our grassroots clubs to open more doors for everyone to get active, so encourage your local club to apply for a grant today.”

VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said with increasing numbers of Victorians not doing enough physical activity to benefit their health, it was critical sports clubs were supported to provide more opportunities for people to get active.

“Our modern lifestyle is increasingly sedentary and less than a third of Australians are getting enough physical activity to be healthy,” Ms Rechter said.

“In particular women, people from disadvantaged communities and people with disability are more likely to be inactive and less likely to play sport.

“We know that too many people find sport intimidating and think that being active means you have play competitive sport, run a marathon or win a trophy.

“Our Active Club Grants program is about making sport fun, accessible and inclusive – we want everyone to have the opportunity to be active and healthy.

“I encourage community sports clubs to apply for a grant today, so we can get more people involved in sport across Victoria.”

Active Club Grants provide funding of up to $3,000 or up to $10,000 to community sport clubs to start up new social and modified sport programs, or to deliver new opportunities for women and girls to play sport.

Special consideration will be given to applications from clubs in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage and communities recovering from natural disasters.

Victorian clubs are encouraged to apply through the VicHealth website before applications close at 4pm Friday 2 March 2018. For further information or to apply online, visit www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/activeclub.

 

---

Media Contact

Rachel Murphy, Senior Media Advisor, P 03 9667 1319 M 0435 761 732 E [email protected]