Western Australian funding program aims to break down barriers to sport participation

A Western Australian grants program - designed to break down the barriers to participation in sport and recreation - has received a $2.7 million funding boost over three years.

Administered by the Western Australian Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, the Sport and Recreation Inclusive Participation Grants Program provides funding for projects that target low participation groups.

18 projects will share in a total funding pool of $4.2 million over three years, including a social inclusion program that uses sport and recreation to help those experiencing homelessness.

Other funded projects include a program that inspires and grows the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in netball, and a cultural program that aims to increase social connection to the game of cricket in the culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) community.

The program aims to create inclusive, accessible, safe and welcoming environments and opportunities for people with disability, Aboriginal people, those from CALD backgrounds, adolescent girls, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, seniors and disengaged youth.

Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman notes "Equity, diversity and participation are key priorities within the sport and recreation sector and I'm pleased to be able to support these projects, which will make a positive difference in our community.

"Being part of a safe and inclusive sport environment not only provides a range of individual social and health benefits, it also provides a space where diverse groups can build trust in one another, helping to break down social and cultural barriers and strengthen overall community connections.

"Congratulations to all the recipients and I look forward to seeing your projects fly."

The recipients of the Sport and Recreation Inclusive Participation Grants include:

• Binar Futures' Basketball Inclusion program: $450,000;

• Bachar Houli Foundation programs: $150,000;

• Stephen Michael Foundation's Youth Play and Connection project: $450,000;

• City of Greater Geraldton's Sports Hub project: $150,000;

• Fair Game's Fit and Active in the Pilbara: $150,000;

• Perth African Nations Sport Association's Empower the People project: $255,000;

• 55 Central's Activate Engage program: $150,000;

• Reclink Australia's Reclink Street Games: $288,120;

• Blind Sports Western Australia's Inclusive Sports program: $240,000;

• Thriving Exercise Rehabilitation's Thriving in Motion – Youth Moves program: $300,00;

• Football Futures Foundation's United Through Football – Ellenbrook project $120,369;

• Rebound WA's Kids Who Can't Keep Up program: $225,000;

• Netball WA's Inspire and Grow inclusive participation and delivery project: $300,000;

• WA Hockey Association's Thundersticks all abilities hockey project: $300,000;

• West Australian Football Commission's expansion of All Abilities Football project: $371,417;

• WA Cricket Association's Connecting Cultures Through Cricket project: $138,000;

• WA Ice Hockey Association's Break the Ice: Encouraging Girls to Join the Game project: $87,800; and

• WA Rugby Union's All Abilities Rugby project: $91,500.

Organisations can apply for up to $150,000 per annum to support their projects.

Image top: Fair Game's Fit and Active in the Pilbara; Image above: Credit Netball WA