Applications are now open for the Andrews Government’s 2019-20 Change Our Game Community Activation Grants Program, which provides women and girls with opportunities to participate in grassroots sport and active recreation.

The Labor Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison, said the Change Our Game Community Activation Grants Program highlights the Labor Government’s commitment to creating gender equality across all levels of Victorian sport and active recreation.

The program has so far enabled more than 70 community organisations to host events ranging from come-and-try days to community forums and educational sessions.

Ms Addison said grants of up to $5,000 are available to eligible clubs and community groups to level the playing field for women and girls in sport and recreation.

“Sports and recreation clubs are the heart of communities across Ballarat and they do such good work in bringing people together and allowing them to have fun and reach their full potential,” Ms Addison said.

“We’ve made a lot of progress in levelling the playing field for women and girls and I encourage groups with good ideas to apply for a grant under this program,” she said.

Minister for Sport, Martin Pakula, said the Government has invested more than $850 million to provide community sport and recreation infrastructure across Victoria since 2014.

“Every Victorian deserves equal access to facilities and opportunity and we’re making sure women and girls have the support they need to change the game,” Mr Pakula said.

“The Change Our Game Community Activation Grants Program is supporting grassroots sport and recreation clubs to take a lead role in giving women and girls a fair go,” he said.

Applications under the Change Our Game Community Activation Grants Program close on 25 October. For more information, visit changeourgame.vic.gov.au.