Community sporting clubs and associations can now apply for funding to cover basic running costs and support their readiness to return to play.
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Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence announced individual clubs can apply for up to $1000, while associations and leagues could receive up to $15,000 from the Victorian Community Sport Sector Short-term Survival Package.
Sports Focus works to ensure sport and recreation clubs are supported to deliver equitable and inclusive opportunities for under-represented groups in the Loddon Campaspe.
Sports Focus' business manager Stuart Craig said government funds for individual clubs will help to meet their fixed cost obligations.
"These grants could go towards paying electricity, gas and water bills, for example," Mr Craig said.
"It is certainly not something that goes towards paying players or coaches."
Community sport plays a vital role in the lives and wellbeing of many Victorians, according to Ms Spence.
"These grants make it that little bit easier to pay the bills as we start to train again and move cautiously towards a return to the park," she said.
Mr Craig said the coronavirus pandemic has forced Bendigo sporting clubs and organisations to recalibrate their strategic thinking.
"It provides opportunities for leagues, associations and clubs to re-evaluate and improve on what they have done," Mr Craig said.
"For other, it allows them to look at aspects of a club's governance, how it is structured, how meetings are conducted and what maintenance work needs to be done to ensure that when there is a return, the club is ready."
A shared services model is one way clubs can reduce costs, according to Mr Craig.
"There may be opportunities to share a role across different clubs, such as maintaining bowling greens," he said.
"They may not be up to competition standard, but they are protected to ensure they don't deteriorate and it would be cost effective for clubs."
From Sunday, May 31 at 11.59pm, non-contact outdoor sporting activities will increase from 10 to 20 people, plus the instructor.
Mr Craig said individual clubs are responsible for developing their own return to play plans.
"Sport Focus is here to assist and support clubs where it is needed," he said.
"This isn't a return to competition, it is simply a return to being able to get together in small groups, of up to 20 people.
"Sports such as football, netball, hockey, soccer and basketball can participate in activities in a training sense when there is no contact with other individuals."
Large state sporting organisations can apply for up to $350,000, while smaller state sporting associations, including regional sports assemblies, can apply for up to $200,000.
For more information on applying for a grant, visit sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding
