The state government’s latest sporting grants program will bring more Victorians together through sport, including those in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay, encouraging young athletes to join their local sports club and discover the benefits of being active.
Community Sport Minister Ros Spence has announced applications are now open for the latest round of the Get Active Kids Voucher Program to support children and families from across Victoria with the cost of participating and playing local sport.
Through the program, eligible families can apply for vouchers of up to $200 per child to use at their registered provider without the worry of upfront costs.
Each voucher can be used to pay for memberships, registration fees, uniforms, and equipment across a wide range of sporting codes and recreation activities.
The program encourages children to participate in physical activity and maximises support for families who face additional barriers to participating in community sport.
Based in Melbourne’s west, Rise Netball Club in Footscray has been a registered activity provider across multiple rounds of the program.
Alongside welcoming newcomers, the program has also seen kids remain involved in netball to develop and hone their skills in the game they love.
Since the program started in 2020, the government said it has distributed more than 115,000 vouchers to eligible families.
Around half of the recipients in the most recent round of the program indicated they would not have been able to participate in their chosen sport or activity without the voucher program.
For voucher recipients to be eligible, they must be aged 18 and under, a Victorian resident, named on a valid Commonwealth Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card and named on a valid Medicare Card at the time of application.
A special consideration stream is also available to support children residing in Victorian Care Services, temporary or provisional visa holders, undocumented migrants and international students aged 18 and under at the time of application.
Applications will close once the allocation has been exhausted.
Vouchers can be used up to 30 April 2024.
Families can also continue to claim reimbursement for expenses incurred from May 8, 2023.
For more information about the program and to apply, visit getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers.
Community Sport Minister Ros Spence said, “I’m so proud of this incredibly successful program that cultivates healthy habits for young Victorians, making it easier for kids to join their friends in the sports and recreation activities they love.
“We’ve seen more than 115,000 vouchers delivered to deserving families across the life of the program to date – that’s a huge number of children who might have missed out on the fun of participating in sport if it weren’t for the vouchers.”
