MOREE and district sporting organisations and clubs are encouraged to apply for funding following the opening of the Local Sport Grant Program.

Up to $4.65 million will be available for facility upgrades, new equipment and programs that support and encourage participation in sport and active recreation in New South Wales.

Grants of $2000  to $20,000 are available, with up to $50,000 available in each electorate.

Last year, the Local Sport Grant Program injected $4.4 million into community sport through funding for 579 projects.

Applications close 1pm, Monday, August 18 with further information, including program guidelines available at Local Sport Grants Program.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said the state government is backing grassroots clubs to grow participation across all ages and abilities.

“The Local Sport Grant Program delivers where it matters – better gear, safer facilities, and more opportunities for people to get active and love their sport,” Mr Kamper said.

“If a club needs new equipment or has a great program idea but hasn’t had the resources to make it happen – now’s the time to apply.”

Eligible applicants include incorporated, not-for-profit grassroots sport clubs or associations whose primary focus is to organise sporting activities, deliver on-going sporting programs and develop members’ skills.

Sporting clubs associated with licensed organisations can apply provided the project directly benefits the sport, not the administration processes of the licenced club or upgrades of the licensed premises.

Sports organisations or clubs associated with a school, church or university can apply providing they are a not-for-profit club incorporated in their own right.

Sports organisations or clubs associated with a school, church or university can apply providing they are a not-for-profit club incorporated in their own right.

Sporting organisations are encouraged to apply for funding following the opening of the Local Sport Grant Program.

Meanwhile, eight young girls have the future of women’s and girls’ sport in their hands, following their selection to the Minns Labor Government’s first Teenage Advisory Committee, as part of the Play Her Way Strategy.

The teenage girls – ranging in ages 16 to 19 from across New South Wales – were chosen following a state-wide process to identify a group who could be a voice on some of the biggest issues affecting young women in sport.

The Teenage Advisory Committee is an initiative of the Play Her Way Strategy, a four-year plan to get more New South Wales women and girls involved in sport.

Play Her Way has a focus on addressing the low rates of participation among adolescent girls after research found a 23 per cent gap in participation rates among boys and girls aged 15-17 in New South Wales.

The Teenage Advisory Committee will provide advice to the NSW Government on how to break down the barriers preventing teenage girls participating in sport and propose new and innovative ways to keep teenage girls involved.

“The Teenage Advisory Committee is a fresh approach for the way government develops sporting programs for women and girls.  It flips the script by letting women and girls control their destiny and determine how they play sport,” Mr Kamper said.

“The committee members come from a range of backgrounds, experiences and locations to represent the voices of teenage girls aged 16–20.

“By giving them a voice, we’re providing a platform to create, advise and inspire change in sport for teenage girls.

“The Teenage Advisory Committee will shape initiatives that increase participation and retention across New South Wales.

“Through the Teenage Advisory Committee, Play Her Way is delivering on what it says: ensuring every woman and girl in NSW can play sport her way,” he said.