The Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program provides grants to assist Aboriginal Victorians to participate in Aboriginal sport carnivals, buy sports uniforms and equipment, as well as funding for travel and accommodation expenses for athletes to compete in state and national competitions.

The Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program contributes to the Victorian Government’s sport and active recreation policy priorities and provides a single-entry point for Aboriginal Victorians to access funding that will assist in addressing a range of barriers to community participation right across the state.

The Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program will assist Victorian Aboriginals to increase participation in sport and active recreation. Assistance is available for individuals, teams, clubs and associations to participate in Aboriginal Sport Carnivals, purchase Uniforms and Equipment, travel and accommodation expenses for athletes and coaches.

Categories

The Program has three categories:-

CATEGORY 1 – Aboriginal Sporting Carnivals Grants up to $1,500 for travel and accommodation costs for teams to participate in State-wide or National Carnivals.

CATEGORY 2 – Uniforms or Equipment Grants of up to $1,000 for individuals, teams, clubs and associations to purchase sporting uniforms and/or equipment.

CATEGORY 3 – Athlete Participation Support Grants of up to $750 for athletes and coaches to assist with travel and accommodation costs to compete or train in regional, state and national competitions or representative teams.

Who can apply?

• Aboriginal Individuals and teams that are not affiliated with a club or association can apply for a grant in categories 1 and 2 but must have an arrangement with an organization from the list attached to these guidelines to manage the grant funding on their behalf through a funding agreement with the department.
• Aboriginal Community groups that are not incorporated may also apply for a grant for their community members (Aboriginal individuals or teams) but must have an incorporated association acting as an auspicing body to manage the funding on their behalf through a funding agreement with the department.
• Incorporated sporting clubs and associations or Aboriginal Community Controlled organizations may apply for a grant on behalf of the members (Aboriginal individuals or teams) and will be expected to manage the funding through a funding agreement with the department.

Auspice organizations

Please note that individuals or teams that are not affiliated with a club or association must contact the call center advising they require an auspice. The call center will refer the individual or team onto the Aboriginal Programs team, Sport and Recreation Victoria. The Aboriginal Programs team will advise the individual or team what the process is when entering into auspicing arrangements with an organization. Eligible applicants must:

• be non-government, not-for-profit and registered as an incorporated body at the time of application and for the project duration. If an applicant organization is not registered as an incorporated body, it must arrange for a legally constituted organization to manage the grant funds
• possess an Australian Business Number (ABN) or provide a completed Australian Tax Office form (Statement by a supplier) so that no withholding tax is required from the grant payment
• be an incorporated separate legal entity that can be sued in child abuse proceedings and be appropriately insured against child abuse if the funding is for the delivery of services to children. Further information got to Child sexual abuse insurance requirements for non-government organizations
• adhere to and enforce the Fair Play Code (or) their relevant state sporting association code of conduct/member protection policy, which incorporates the Fair Play Code
• comply with the expectations of the Victorian Anti-doping Policy 2012
• have satisfactorily met reporting requirements on any grants previously received from Sport and Recreation Victoria
• have not received any sporting club grants in any round from the previous financial year.
• be aware that it is a requirement of this grant that if an institution has been named in an application or receives a Notice of Redress Liability, they must join or intend to join the National Redress Scheme (the Scheme).

For more information, visit Government of Victoria.