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Community facilities Grants and awards | December 04, 2017

VicHealth grants boost female participation

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP has congratulated six regional sporting clubs who have receiving funding under Round 1 of the VicHealth Active Club Grants Program 2017-18.

“This latest round of funding is aimed at getting more women and girls to take part in sport, something I actively support and encourage”, Ms Kealy said.

The following grants will be used to boost female participation rates by entry into new competitions and conducting new programs and clinics:

• Hamilton District Cricket Association will introduce an U16 and U13 girl’s competition to enable more girls to participate in the sport ($2,370)
• Hamilton Golf Club will run beginner’s programs to introduce women to golf ($2,976)
• Nhill Golf Club Inc will promote and expand its junior golf program including junior golf clinics and school golf competitions ($2,996)
• Pimpinio Football and Netball Club will increase girls’ participation through an Auskick program aimed at people who haven’t played before ($1,299)
• Horsham Saints will create an open age female football team including opportunities for indigenous girls and girls from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds ($2,604); and
• Tarrington Cricket Club will enter a team in the local women’s cricket association for the first time ($1,969).

Research shows that female participation in sport is still lower than male involvement and women and girls can find it hard to reach the recommended 2.5 hours of moderate physical activity each week.

“This is for a number of reasons including a lack of suitable opportunities and difficulty prioritising physical activity over other commitments like family, education and work”, Ms Kealy said.

“It is important we continue to open up avenues for more people, particularly females, to get involved in sport,” she said.