Sporting clubs and organisations in East Gippsland are able to apply for up to $10,000 in funding following today’s launch of the latest round of the VicHealth Active Club Grant program.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has encouraged the region’s sporting clubs to apply for funding, available for equipment or programs that increase participation rates.

“These grants are targeted at clubs that can boost female participation rates, or introduce people into the sport by offering modified versions of the sport,” he said.

“It is important we continue to open up avenues for more people to get involved in sport, especially females, and this needs to be demonstrated in the application process.”

A former VicHealth board member, Mr Bull said the organisation was aiming to have 300,000 more Victorians taking part in regular physical activity by 2023.

“Research shows that female participation in sport is still lower than male involvement, and for a number of reasons, women and girls can find it hard to reach the recommended 2.5 hours of moderate physical activity per week,” Mr Bull said.

Mr Bull said two funding levels of up to $3000 and $10,000 was available for eligible sporting clubs.

For more information, or to apply for a VicHealth grant, visit www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/activeclub. The program closes at 4pm on Friday, March 10.

Caption: Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, with Doug Patterson and Andy Franke, of Bairnsdale Bowls Club, a recent recipient of a VicHealth Active Club Grant.

Monday, February 6, 2017