Supporting clubs in the south west to be resilient and sustainable
South West Sport provides advice and guidance on a range of club development topics. Sharing our expertise in this area we ensure volunteers can access knowledge, ideas, and strategies that will help build their capacity to create successful and social sporting environments in which their community can thrive.
Members can contact us for a range of club support needs, including advice and guidance regarding governance, grants, participation, partnerships, programming, volunteers, and more.
Committee support – Supporting your club committee to run efficiently and effectively through the provision of advice and guidance on committee structure, roles, and responsibilities.
Volunteer recruitment and coordination – Provide advice and guidance on volunteer recruitment and coordination, supporting clubs to build a strong culture of volunteerism.
Constitution and/or policy development – Review and provide feedback to club’s updating and refreshing documents that help govern their clubs, including constitution, by-laws, and club policies and procedures.
Grant Support – Support clubs to find grants, review and provide advice on applications and provide letters of support.
Membership and participation growth – Providing guidance and ideas on growing membership and attracting new participants to your sport.
Club future planning and succession planning – Providing guidance and advise on succession planning and future proofing of your sporting club.
We understand that it’s hard trying to manage the costs of playing sport and running a club. We have put together a list of grants that your club may be eligible to apply for.
Club Safety Fund
Grant provider: Worksafe
Value: Up to $3000
Purpose:
The WorkSafe Club Safety Fund provides financial assistance to netball clubs to enhance the safety of their courts and facilities for players, volunteers, and spectators. The fund aims to support occupational health and safety initiatives at a local level.
Closing date: Open Date: 1 June 2026 - Close Date: 12 July 2026
Bunnings Community Grants
Grant provider: Bunnings
Value: Up to $10,000
Purpose:
The Bunnings Community Grants Program has been established to completement the incredible work already happening in stores, and will sit alongside the amazing local fundraising, BBQs and community engagement taking place in store.
Targeted grants of up to $10,000 will be provided to support practical projects that deliver real, local impact.
Web link: https://bunnings.smartygrants.com.au/
Closing date: Open Date: 1 July 2026 - Close Date: 31 July 2026
Victoria's Pride Regional Activation Program
Grant provider: Victoria State Government & Midsumma
Value: Up to $10,000
Purpose:
RAP aims to enhance the lives of LGBTQIA+ individuals in regional areas through arts and cultural activities celebrating Victoria's diverse LGBTQIA+ Pride statewide.
Projects must align with one or more objectives:
Closing date: Open Date: 15 June 2026 - Close Date: 3 August 2026
Pride Events and Festivals Fund 2026-27
Grant provider: Victoria State Government
Value: Up to $25,000
Purpose:
The program funds activities across Victoria that:
Closing date: Open Date: 1 July 2026 - Close Date: 7 August 2026
Game On: Teaming up for Climate Action
Grant provider: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Value: Up to $100,000
Purpose:
Game On: Teaming Up for Climate Action program will provide support for up to 500 community sports clubs. The grants will help them upgrade their facilities to be more climate resilient and energy efficient.
Clubs may be eligible to access funding for projects that:
By making these upgrades, clubs can reduce their operating costs and reinvest savings into equipment and programs for grassroots sports.
Closing date: Open Date: 1 July 2026 - Close Date: 28 July 2026
Individual or Group Assistance Fund - Warrnambool City Council
Grant provider: Warrnambool City Council
Value: National Competitions: Up to $300 for Individuals, Up to $500 for Teams - International Competitions: Up to $700 for Individuals, Up to $1000 for Teams
Purpose:
As part of Warrnambool City Council’s vision for a healthy and active city, grants are available for resident individual athletes competing at elite levels, as part of an affiliated state or national event or international activity or event (e.g. national championships, world championships). Grants are available for one-off events and not for on-going competitions.
Closing date: Applications are open year round or until annual allocation has been fully expended
Woolworths Netball Grants Program
Grant provider: Woolworths
Value: Up to $2000
Purpose:
The Woolworths Netball Grants Program supports grassroots netball clubs and associations across the country to improve the health and wellbeing of Aussie kids.
Closing date: Open Date: 24 April 2026 - Close Date: 6 August 2026
Glenelg Shire Junior Sport Trust
Grant provider: Glenelg Shire Council
Value: Individuals - $500 (Vic), $700 (Interstate), $1000 (International), Teams - $1000 (Vic), $1500 (Interstate), $3000 (International)
Purpose:
The Glenelg Junior Sport Trust provides financial support for individual athletes or teams who have been selected to represent at state, national or international level in their chosen sport, aged up to 18 years of age inclusive.
Closing date: Open until grant allocation is expended
Community Investment Program - Beach Energy
Grant provider: Beach Energy
Value: Individual Application Review
Purpose:
Beach Energy is committed to building meaningful long-lasting relationships with the communities in which it operates. This includes investing in local and strategically aligned initiatives that build stronger and more resilient communities. Applications that align with the Health, Safety and Wellbeing key area are accepted.
Closing date: Reviewed Annually
Grants Community Partnering Program - Community Bank Port Fairy & District
Grant provider: Community Bank Port Fairy & District
Value: Up to $10,000
Purpose:
Bendigo Bank’s social purpose focus set its agenda for ‘feeding into prosperity’, from its products and services through to its commitment to creating positive social change. Projects must demonstrate outcomes in Health and Wellbeing for the community
Closing date: Open Date: 1 July 2026 - Close Date: 31 July 2026
Regional All Abilities Participation Grants
Grant provider: Sport and Recreation Victoria
Value: Up to $25,000
Purpose:
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.
Closing date: Open Date: 30 June 2026 - Close Date: 12 August 2026
Strengthening Rural Communities — Small & Vital
Grant provider: Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
Value: Up to $10,000
Purpose:
The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Small & Vital stream gives small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities.
Closing date: Open Date: 25 June 2026 - Close Date: 17 September 2026
Telstra Footy Grants
Grant provider: Telstra
Value: Up to $20,000
Purpose:
The Telstra Footy Grants are designed to financially assist initiatives that can support Community Clubs affiliated to the AFL to strengthen the base and secure the future in three key strategic areas:
Grow and assist volunteer capacity
Grow and diversify participation
Improve club environments and experiences
Web link: https://play.afl/clubhelp/footy-grants
Closing date: Open Date: 25 May 2026 - Close Date: 23 July 2026
Emergency Sporting Equipment Grant Program
Grant provider: Sport and Recreation Victoria
Value: Up to $2,000
Purpose:
Access to this funding helps grassroots organisations replace or repair essential sport or first aid equipment that has been lost or destroyed because of unpreventable incidents, including bushfire, flood, significant storm, earthquake, theft, arson, or criminal damage.
Closing date: Open Date: 1 July 2026 - Close Date: 31 May 2027
Corangamite Ready Now Grant
Grant provider: Corangamite Shire Council
Value: Up to $500
Purpose:
Council has developed a policy and application form for groups seeking funding through the Council Quick Response Grants for small projects, equipment, or initiatives.
Closing date: Applications are assessed monthly
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South West Sport would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians on the lands on which we work.
We pay our respects to elders past and present, and acknowledge their continued connection to country.
We are committed to building inclusive communities through sport and recreation, and we celebrate the power of sport to promote reconciliation and reduce inequality across our regional community.
