Grassroots sports club in Altona District are unlocking their potential and securing grants to help with the operation of their club.

Member for Altona District Jill Hennessy today announced that seven clubs in Altona District had secured grants under the Andrews Labor Government’s Sporting Club Grants Program, helping them expand their skills and strengthen their operations.

Additionally, five local sport and recreation clubs will share in the close to $1 million of funding available as part of the latest round of VicHealth’s Active Club Grants program. The grants will help more people in Altona District become involved in local clubs and reap the health benefits of physical activity.

The Sporting Club Grants Program gives clubs the chance to secure grants of up to $5000 to bolster operations and increase community participation, and $2000 to expand the skill sets of coaches or officials, for training such as first aid courses or umpires’ accreditation programs.

Grants of up to $1000 are also available for clubs to buy new team uniforms or equipment.

The program is part of the Andrews Labor Government’s work to make sport more accessible and inclusive, increase local participation, stimulate local economies, and build sustainable volunteer opportunities.

A total of $8906 in Sporting Clubs Grants was provided to clubs and associations in Altona District.

The successful clubs were:

Through the Active Club Grants, clubs can apply for a grant of up to $3,000 for sports items and equipment, or a larger grant of up to $10,000 for core equipment that will help increase or maintain participation through their club.

A total of $17828  in Active Clubs Grants was provided to sporting and recreational clubs in Altona District.

The successful clubs were:

• Point Cook Soccer Club
• Newport Calisthenics Club
• Kooringal Golf Club
• Altona Laverton Eagles Basketball Association
• Point Cook Netball Club

In the last 10 years alone, VicHealth has provided more than $14 million to thousands of Victorian organisations through Active Club Grants, providing more than one-million club members with access to safer and better equipped clubs.

Applications for the next round of the four-year fund will open on 14 June 2016. For more information or to apply online, visit www.sport.vic.gov.au

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

Quotes attributable to Jill Hennessy, Member for Altona District

“We want to support everyone in the Altona District to move more and live healthier lives and the Active Club Grants are a fantastic way to help everyone get involved.”

 “Not only do the grants encourage more people to get involved, they help our local sporting clubs continue to play and compete.”

 “Sport is such a big part of community here in Altona District, with local sports and club facilities bringing together people of all walks of life to nurture the next generation of home-grown heroes.”

 “I congratulate the successful applicants, and encourage clubs and state sporting associations in Altona District to make the most of these new grants when applications for the next round later this year.”