Aboriginal Athletes given a boost from Victorian Government funding

Aboriginal Victorian athletes are being supported by the State Government with funding to purchase uniforms and equipment and to participate in sporting events.

Victorian Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence announced the 72 grant recipients, with teams and individuals from 17 community organisations to receive a share of more than $80,000 through the latest round of the Aboriginal Sporting Participation Grant Program.

Minister Spence notes “from Test cricket’s Scott Boland, a Gulidjan man from Western Victoria, to track and field athlete Angie Blackburn, a Yuin/Monero-Ngarigo woman from far East Gippsland, Victoria has produced a host of Aboriginal sporting stars.

“Sport plays a vital role connecting people and bringing communities together, and I’m proud to help make that happen for all Victorians.”

The program provides grants of up to $1,500 for teams to participate in statewide or national carnivals, up to $1,000 for teams and $250 for individuals for uniforms and equipment and up to $750 to cover travel and accommodation expenses.

Budjeri Napan Assoc Inc Chairperson Laurie Marks added “the funding allows our Young Yeerungs Under 9s football team enter into the Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd - State-wide Junior Football Netball Carnival in 2022.”

Recipients in this round include 10 teams from Southern Aboriginal Sports which have been awarded $1,500 each for their junior basketballers to take part in a Lightning Pathway Program into Basketball Victoria competitions.

Warriors Gridiron Club in Mulgrave received $750 to help buy new uniforms, making it possible for even more Aboriginal young people to play at the club.

The Black Eagles Basketball Club from Shepparton received $11,000 for 11 of its junior basketball teams to attend basketball association tournaments.

Since 2020 the Victorian Government has provided more than $210,000 through this program towards 200 grants to support Aboriginal community run organisations, clubs and individuals across the state.

For a full list of the funded initiatives from this round and more information visit sport.vic.gov.au.

Image: Recipients in this round include 10 teams from Southern Aboriginal Sports. Credit: Southern Aboriginal Sports facebook