The Andrews Labor Government is helping home-grown athletes and teams kickstart their careers and take the next big step on the national stage, with new travel supporting sports participants across Victoria.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today announced 122 grants worth more than $245,000 to assist athletes, teams, coaches, and officials through the Labor Government’s Athlete Pathway Travel Grants Program.
These grants support athletes and teams with travel and accommodation costs associated with competing at regional, state, and national levels.
Recipients include Geelong Athletics Inc in South Geelong, scoring $2,000 to help fund junior athletes to travel to compete in 10 Athletics Victoria cross country races across the state in 2023.
North Geelong Football Club in Lara also received $2,000 for its under 14s team to attend the 33 rounds of the National Premier League season across the Western Metro region and Regional Victoria, assisting young players to be selected for regional, state, and national teams.
More than $2,000 will help Ocean Grove Life Saving Club to compete in the Australian inflatable rescue boat championships to be held in Kingscliff, New South Wales in July this year.
Grants of up to $6,000 are available for recognised state sporting associations, regional academies of sport and state sport and active recreation bodies. Victorian sport and recreation clubs can also apply for grants of up to $2,000.
Funding also supports pathway development programs and training for emerging athletes, as well as costs for training camps, competition entry and registration.
Since 2015, more than 1700 grants totalling more than $3 million have been rolled out by the program to help teams and athletes achieve their goals.
The Athletes Pathway Travel Grants program is one way the Government continues to back our next generation of Victorian athletes to develop from community to national level. For further information visit sport.vic.gov.au.
As stated by the Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence
“Our up-and-coming athletes and future champions are putting in the hard work. That’s why we are helping them realise their sporting dreams by removing barriers associated with travel and accommodation costs.”
Quote attributable for Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“We’re proud to provide our local rising stars with the opportunity to showcase their talent and launch their careers through more exposure and experience across Victoria.”
As stated by the Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman
“The Athlete Pathway Program is giving grassroots sports clubs in South Barwon the support they need to keep their rising athletes on their sporting pathway.”
As stated by the Member for Lara Ella George
“With big sporting events like the 2026 Commonwealth Games on the way to our region, these grants help inspire our local athletes to go next level.”
Quote attributable for the Member for Geelong Chris Couzens
“Geelong has a strong tradition of producing champion athletes and these grants will provide our next crop of champions the chance to follow in their footsteps.”
Quote attributable for the Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant
“The future is looking even brighter for our local athletes and clubs as they take their sporting big break to the national stage.”
As stated by Secretary of Geelong Athletics Inc Anna Devonish
“The cost of travel and the distance to attend events has been prohibitive for many of our junior athletes and to be able to offer a team bus to safely get these juniors to events is extremely important to our ability to grow and promote cross country running for regional athletes.”
