The lack of community sport this year has put a strain on the viability of local clubs, but as they look forward to resuming competition in 2021, there are several funding options available including a second round of the Community Sport Sector COVID-19 Survival Package grants.

Member for Western Victoria, Jaala Pulford, yesterday announced that applications are now open for these grants, which allows local associations and leagues to apply for up to $2,000, and individual clubs up to $1,000 grants to support their operational viability.

The announcement also included further support from the Victorian Government to clubs that had previously received a $1000 boost in the Community Sport Sector COVID-19 Survival Package first round with a further automatic $500 top-up payment.

Clubs in the Hindmarsh Shire that will benefit from this extra funding include the 1st Rainbow Scout Group, Jeparit Golf Club, Jeparit Gun Club, Jeparit Tennis Club, Nhill and District Sporting Club, Nhill Lawn Tennis Club and Rainbow Bowls Club.

This latest round is to support clubs to survive so they can come back ready to play when the time is right, helping them with operational viability, especially during times of loss of revenue due to the cancellation of sports training, development programs and competition.

The second round of the program delivers two categories with Stream 1 making available grants for state sporting associations and other state sport and recreation bodies, and of most interest locally, Stream 2 will distribute grants of up to $2,000 for leagues and associations and up to $1,000 for individual clubs.

The Government is also investing $68 million in shovel-ready community sport and active recreation infrastructure projects across the state, to stimulate jobs and economic activity, and deliver new projects to local communities as part of the new $2.7 billion Building Works package.

If clubs are interested in applying for these grants, they can find more information on the Community Sport Sector COVID-19 Survival Package can be found on the Sport and recreation Victoria Grants and Funding website.