Aboriginal athletes in the Geelong community will have more opportunities to go for gold with a new round of sporting grants for clubs.
The Wathaurong Aboriginal Community in Geelong will receive $4322 to host a statewide senior football and netball carnival through the Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program.
Parliamentary Secretary for First Peoples and Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said the grants were a great opportunity for First Nation People to participate in sports.
“I’m excited to see how these grants will help support First Nations People in providing the necessary supports for accessing the needs for attending sporting carnivals, providing uniforms or equipment,” she said.
The program delivers grants of up to $1000 for team uniforms and sports equipment and up to $2500 for travel costs that will allow clubs to participate in tournaments across the country.
Member for Lara Ella George said sport helped unite communities and that she was glad to see the program provide funding for Aboriginal sporting clubs and athletes.
“These grants are a massive boost for Aboriginal athletes and clubs across Geelong, helping them have access to the transport and equipment to play and compete in the sports they love,” she said.
Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Natalie Hutchins said the program had provided 457 grants to sports clubs and individuals in the state’s Indigenous communities.
“It’s fantastic to see even more Aboriginal athletes get their chance to follow in the footsteps of First Nations champions and reach their potential in the sport they love,” she said.
Visit sport.vic.gov.au/funding/aboriginal-sport-participation-grant-program for more information about the program.
