Community sporting organisations across the state will benefit from further funding to help level the playing field for women and girls, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s Change Our Game initiative.

86 community sport and recreation organisations from across Victoria have been successful in receiving a Change Our Game Community Activation Grant, funding more than $430,000 worth of grants.

Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, announced that locally two Dandenong organisations would receive funding to increase women and girl’s participation in sport.

The Association of Hazaras in Victoria Inc will receive $5,000, to work in partnership with the Victorian Afghan Associations Network (VAAN) and with support of the Dari language school, to run a volleyball program and tournament.

The Fatemiya Cultural Centre will also receive $4,460 for a walking and exercise program for Afghan women. The program scheduled to start in August will run twice a week and incorporate walking, light exercise and outdoor games.

Applications for this round broke Change Our Game records with more than $1.1milion worth of submissions registered, reinforcing the demand in providing programs that celebrate and showcase women and girls in all levels of sport and recreation.

This round offered three streams of funding to support clubs in driving participation, providing organisational training and development, and to showcase women and girls’ achievements.

Successful grants in this round range from come-and-try days and leadership workshops, through to gala dinners and awards nights, all designed to inspire the next generation of leaders in sport and active recreation.

Since 2017, more than 380 Change Our Game grants have been awarded and this work will continue following the recent 2021-22 Victorian State budget announcement of $11.6 million to fund the continuation of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation.

For more information about the Change Our Game programs, visit www.changeourgame.vic.gov.au

Quote attributable to Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spence

“Community sport plays a vital role in uniting our communities and driving positive social change. The Change Our Game initiative is providing opportunities for Victorian women and girls to lead on and off the field.”

Quotes attributable to Director of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, Sarah Styles

“The record-breaking demand for the Change Our Game Community Activation Grants is some of the strongest evidence yet of the wholesale support for gender equality in community sport across Victoria.”

 Quote attributable to Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams

“ Sport is an important vehicle for cultural change – it can break down gender stereotypes, change the way girls see themselves, and the way others see them. This is why this funding is so important.”