We would like to congratulate the five clubs and associations who have been successful in their applications for the 2024-25 Victoria State Government Regional All Abilities Participation Grants.
The Regional All Abilities Participation Grants support grassroots sport and active recreation clubs and community-based not-for-profit organisations, to enable ongoing, sustainable, and meaningful participation for people with disability in regional Victoria.
In 2024-25 the grants were split into three separate categories:
Category 1: Equipment and Travel
Successful Category 1 recipients received up to $25,000 for organisations to purchase equipment, assistive technology, adaptive clothing or environmental aids as well as reduce travel costs for active participants with disability, including players, umpires or officials and travel support personnel.
Category 2: Inclusion Workforce
Successful Category 2 recipients received up to $25,000 to employ a specialised workforce to support the needs of people with disability as well as recruit, mentor, employ and retain a person with disability to a paid or voluntary position.
Category 3: Programs and Disability-led Initiatives
Successful Category 3 recipients received up to $25,000 deliver an on-going sport or active recreation program for people with disability
deliver projects led by or involving people with disability in the decision-making process.
Congratulations to:
- Phillip Island Soccer Club Bass Coast Shire Council Football (Category 1)
- Greater Geelong City Council Football (Category 3)
- CHSA Sports Central Ballarat City Council Football (Category 3)
- Mitchell Rangers Soccer Club Mitchell Shire Council Football (Category 3)
- Traralgon Olympians Soccer Club Latrobe City Council Football (Category 3)
Football Victoria's (FV) All Abilities project was also successful in our bids for grants, receiving both Category 2 and Category 3 grants.
FV All Abilities & Inclusion Programs Coordinator Selin Arpaci was thrilled to see this ever-growing part of the football community supported by the grants and plans to setup the FV All Abilities project for on-going success.
"It’s fantastic to see so many clubs across Victoria now offering All Abilities football as a core part of what they offer. We’re especially excited about the opportunity for the growth of all abilities football in regional areas, where access hasn’t always been easy.
"These grants will help take that next step. It is important for players with a disability to have a choice of playing in mainstream football or in an all abilities program. Our clubs are leading the way and paving a path for more participation opportunities for players with a disability in regional Victoria”
"For many years, there has been a substantial interest in all abilities football in Geelong. Since COVID, many Geelong-based all abilities programs collapsed, so we hope to re-ignite and bring back all abilities football in Geelong. The grant will help us do this as well as set them up for success."
"Our project will also offer employment and mentoring opportunities for people with a disability in Geelong. We are excited to partner with Football Geelong, Leisure Networks and GenU for our project."
Regional All Abilities Participation Grants assist organisations to increase participation opportunities and address barriers to participation for people with disability in regional Victoria.
The grants will support organisations to:
- purchase modified equipment, assistive technology, adaptive clothing and environmental aids
- recruit, mentor, employ and retain a person with disability to a paid or voluntary position
- employ a specialised workforce to support people with disability
- reduce travel costs for active participants with disability
- broaden the range of on-going, flexible and place-based sport or active recreation programs; and
- increase awareness, understanding, acceptance, community pride and connection.
For more information on the Regional All Abilities Participation Grants program, including eligibility requirements and how can get involved in the next round, head here.