Sport and recreation grants now open - Sykes

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes has welcomed new grants for community sport and recreation to assist sporting groups across north east Victoria and to encourage and support all members of the community to be more active, more often.

“If you are part of an organisation that delivers sport and recreation activities, you could be eligible for up to $5000 from the Victorian State Government’s Country Action Grant Scheme,” said Dr Sykes.

“These grants give members of all sporting groups within region the opportunity to improve their club and encourage others to lead an active, healthy life.”

Dr Sykes said the grants have been made available to improve sporting clubs and organisations, enhance the skills of coaches, officials and administrators or help provide better access to all members of the community.

“Now is the time for all sporting clubs to start thinking about areas for improvement, whether it is for coaching, training or administration.”

Travel related grants of $500 are also available for eligible community sport and recreation groups through Victalent grants to assist with travel related expenses for competition or training for officials, coaches, athletes and teams.

“The Government aims to get more people, more active, more often and these grants are just one way of making this happen,” Dr Sykes said.

Applications for both programs are open until March 1 2012 for projects scheduled to start after July 1 2012.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their application with a regional representative from the Department of Planning and Community Development before lodging a submission. The regional number for clubs in the Benalla Electorate is 5722 7101.

For more information contact the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356 or to lodge an application online visit: www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au.

Media enquiries Bill Sykes MP 5762 2100