Victorian cricket clubs win VicHealth Grants

Victorian cricket clubs are among the successful recipients to share in over $750,000 in funding from health promotion foundation VicHealth’s latest funding round to get people active in our community.

More than 220 Victorian local clubs will get a share in Active Club Grant funding to provide more female teams and programs, as well as social sport options for Victorians who are less interested in playing competitive sport.

Building on the success of VicHealth’s This Girl Can – Victoria campaign, a number of clubs will receive funding to promote the campaign at their club as part of a state-wide movement to get more women active.

The grants will also support social, flexible and accessible sports programs to empower more people in the community to give sport a go, regardless of their ability, gender or cultural background.

As part of this grants round, VicHealth is funding a wide range of popular sports and activities, from grassroots football and netball, to less traditional sports like orienteering and canoeing.

Trailblazing sports programs, include Active Ninja, a gymnastics class for kids with intellectual disabilities or ADHD and a training program to recruit more female umpires into grassroots football.

VicHealth Acting CEO, Dr Lyn Roberts AO said the grants will help bring more women and girls to community sports, while having fun and making new friends along the way.

“Victorian women are half as likely as men to play sport, which it’s important to level the playing field and provide more opportunities for women and girls to take part in the sports they love,” Dr Roberts said.

“We also know many women feel intimidated to get involved in their local club, which is why we’re supporting clubs to promote This Girl Can – Victoria so women can feel comfortable to get involved regardless of their skill level or appearance.

“Last year our This Girl Can – Victoria campaign encouraged 285,000 Victorian women to get active. These grants will help even more Victorian woman to feel confident to get out there and give sport a go.”

Dr Roberts said VicHealth was proud to support hardworking grassroots clubs and volunteers across Victoria to get more Victorians active and healthy.

“Playing sport is so good for our physical and mental health but we know not everyone in our community has the same opportunity to get involved,” she said.

“These grants will help get more Victorians into the game by offering modified or social versions of traditional sport where your age, ability, background, lifestyle or gender isn’t a barrier to taking part.

“Active Club Grants create more opportunities to find a sport activity you love, so we encourage everyone to check out what’s on in their local area and give it a go.”

For more information on VicHealth’s Active Club Grants or the full list of local clubs receiving grants, please visit www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/activeclub

Successful cricket clubs

VicHealth Active Club Grant – Increasing Female Participation – $3,000 funding tier
All Girls Cricket (Inner South Eastern Cricket Association)
Allansford Cricket Club
Clifton Hill Cricket Club
Cluden Cricket Club
Coburg Cricket Club
Hanging Rock Cricket Club
Heatherdale Cricket Club
Keilor Park Cricket Club
Muckleford Cricket Club
Nhill and District Sporting Club
Northern Socials Cricket Club
Portarlington Cricket Club
Terang Cricket Club
Vermont Cricket Club

VicHealth Active Club Grant – Increasing social or modified sport – $3,000 funding tier
Buckley Ridges Cricket Club
Phillip Island District Cricket Club
Royal Rhinos Cricket Club
Thomastown Cricket Club
Yarra Junction Cricket Club