500 sporting events across Victoria supported by State Government funding program

The Victorian Government’s ‘Significant Sporting Events Program’ has supported 500 sporting events since 2014 with almost half of the program’s events to date having been held in regional locations.

The new funding round is set to support even more regional sporting attractions and will deliver a further $4.65 million for national, international, or regionally significant events.

The Gippsland Rally will become the 500th event delivered by the Program. The Gippsland Rally marks the first time an Australian Rally Championship event has been held in Central Gippsland, and the first Australian Rally Championship event to be held in Victoria since 2019. The State Government’s support means Gippsland will remain the host for the next three years.

Broadcast live across Australia and New Zealand, on 27th August the Gippsland Rally Championship will draw 3000 spectators to Heyfield with 120 competitors, 200 service crew and officials – delivering a significant boost to the town and surrounding regions.

Local State Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing advised “the Gippsland Rally is a major coup for Heyfield and Gippsland that will give the region a real boost, with international media coverage inviting even more visitors to experience the best our region has to offer.”

New funding through the Significant Sporting Events Program will also deliver the 2022 Australian Ice Hockey League Finals Series at O’Brien Icehouse in Docklands from 2nd-4th September, featuring the top four teams in the Men’s national ice hockey competition while attracting up to 6,000 spectators.

From 3rd-6th November the 2022 Handball Australia Senior National Championship will descend on Parkville’s Melbourne Sports Centre. The competition provides players with an important pathway to national selection while supporting administrators and coaches to upgrade their skills.

Ballarat Badminton Stadium will host the 2022 U17 and Para National Championships from 24th to 29th September and feature around 230 of the top junior and para players from across Australia, with the new funding support securing the event in Ballarat for the next three years.

Bendigo Stadium will also host the 2022 Bendigo International tournament for the next three years, with this year’s event from 12th to 16th October featuring 200 athletes from 18 countries and broadcast live to a worldwide audience.

Image: Credit: Badminton Victoria