The Victorian government, under the Allan Labor Government, has introduced a sports grants initiative aimed at fostering community engagement through sports, particularly encouraging young athletes to join their local sports clubs and embrace an active lifestyle.

Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spence, unveiled the latest round of the Get Active Kids Voucher Program, designed to alleviate the financial burden of participating in local sports for families and children across Victoria. Eligible families can avail vouchers of up to $200 per child, which can be used to cover costs like membership fees, registration charges, uniforms, and equipment across a broad spectrum of sports and recreational activities.

The program seeks to promote physical activity among children and provide crucial support to families facing barriers in engaging with community sports. Notably, the initiative has been successful in ensuring that a significant number of young Victorians can actively participate in sports, with over 115,000 vouchers distributed since its inception in 2020.

To qualify for the voucher, recipients must be under 18 years of age, residents of Victoria, and listed on a valid Commonwealth Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, along with a valid Medicare Card at the time of application. A special consideration stream is also available to support specific groups of children, like those residing in Victorian Care Services and international students.

The Victorian Budget 2023/24 has allocated over $11 million for various initiatives, including the Get Active Kids Voucher Program, demonstrating the government’s commitment to promoting an active and healthy lifestyle while addressing barriers to participation in sports. The application period will remain open until the allocated vouchers are exhausted, and families can claim reimbursement for expenses incurred from May 8, 2023.

“We’ve seen more than 115,000 vouchers delivered to deserving families across the life of the program to date – that’s a huge number of children who might have missed out on the fun of participating in sport if it weren’t for the vouchers,” says Ros Spence, Minister for Community Sport.

“I’m so proud of this incredibly successful program that cultivates healthy habits for young Victorians, making it easier for kids to join their friends in the sports and recreation activities they love,” says Ros Spence, Minister for Community Sport.

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Photo Courtesy Sport and Recreation Victoria

Courtesy Premier of Victoria