Future of Stawell Gift sprint race in doubt despite Victorian Government offer of funding

The future of Australia's richest and most prestigious footrace, the Stawell Gift, is in doubt after a funding offer from the Victorian Government was rejected by the athletic club in charge of the event.

The Easter weekend carnival features the gift, a handicapped race over 120 metres run on grass that has been held every year, except for four, since 1878.

With the event struggling in recent years, the Victorian Government provided $138,000 for the 2019 race , but said future funding was dependent on changes to the event being made, including a new shared committee of management to run the event.

In November, the state offered $280,000 to support the 2020 race and implement the new operating model.

However, the Stawell Athletic Club (SAC) rejected the offer, surprising supporters of the race.

As reported by the ABC, former winner and club patron Luke Versace resigned from the SAC in protest at the decision.

In a subseuent open letter he advised "crucially, it is the club's inability to share or cede control in areas it has previously had full autonomy, in exchange for lifesaving funding which has prevented a deal from being reached.

"From my perspective this is completely unacceptable and an unjustifiable betrayal of both the history and future of an event that means so much to so many."

Versace warned that if a deal was not reached soon "the Stawell Gift as we know it will be forever gone" because it will lose its broadcast slot with Channel 7, with a resultant drastic reduction in prize money.

SAC President Neil Blizzard told the ABC the club wanted to try and work with the Victorian Government and wanted more clarity on some proposals.

Denying the rejection was about the club retaining control, he advised "we are working towards the actual longevity of the club.

"The event is not in doubt, it will still run."

Blizzard conceded it was hard to get sponsorship and said "we really don't know the next step at this stage".

Victorian Sports Minister Martin Pakula said the Government was proud of its support for the Stawell Gift, including providing more than $700,000 towards the event since December 2014.

He added "it remains open to the Stawell Athletics Club to accept the review recommendations and associated funding support.

"The Government will continue to work with the Victorian Athletic League to support professional running in Victoria."

Northern Grampians Shire Mayor Murray Emerson said the Council was very disappointed, concluding "it's a gold-plated offer from the (Victorian) Government, I don't know how they could reject it."