Funding applications now open for inclusive beach equipment

Surf Life Saving Australia has advised that grant applications are now open for inclusive beach equipment.

Surf Life Saving Australia is offering six inclusive beaches equipment grants of up to $2,000 to start, develop and support inclusive programs in surf clubs around Australia.

If your club currently delivers or is preparing to start an inclusion program for people with disabilities to be able to participate in club activities in 2020/21 season, you are eligible to apply and receive funding.

The grant can be used to purchase a range of equipment with examples provided below:

• Tug-o-war Ropes

• Crawling Tunnels

• Agility Ladders

• Parachutes

• Fitness Mats

• Body Boards

Other equipment will also be considered if your club can provide information about the equipment and explain how it will support the clubs’ inclusive program.

Somerton SLSC in South Australia was just one of the clubs to receive a grant as part of the 2019/20 Inclusive Beaches Equipment Grants for their inclusive Nippers program – Somerton Seals.

Louise Lawson from Somerton SLSC in South Australia said the Somerton Seals received a grant in the 2019/20 season which they used to purchase two new nipper boards.

“We were able to use our Inclusive Beaches Equipment Grant funds to buy two boards for our Somerton Seals program. The boards have been fantastic, one was a full sized mal and the other was a much larger size for some of our participants who are older and nearly adult size.”

“Sometimes programs like ours take a back seat to get funding, but it’s so important that these programs in clubs that may not be primary or front and centre program receive funding as well.”

Applications for the inclusive beaches grants close on 23rd October 2020, and successful clubs will be notified by 30th October 2020.

Applications are now open and clubs can apply by completing an online application here.