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Regional sports clubs in Victoria get $24M boost for new facilities, jobs and community participation

Regional Victorian clubs, including Warragul, will get upgraded sports facilities, boosting participation, community wellbeing, and local jobs, thanks to $24 million in Allan Labor government funding.

By news@gippsland - 4th July 2025 - Back to News

Dozens of regional sport clubs across Victoria including in Warragul will score better facilities - boosting participation, local communities and jobs, thanks to the Allan Labor government. Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence announced that 41 new projects will share in almost $24 million from Round 2 of the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund (RCSIF), investing in women and girls' change rooms, sports courts and fields and more.

The Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund, supported by two other funds, boosts regional Victoria with 75 projects, part of $2.4 billion invested since 2014

Warragul sport upgrades

In Warragul, Western Park's Oval Two will receive $1,000,000 for construction of a new pavilion including two players' change rooms and amenities, umpires' change room, an accessible public toilet with baby change facilities, kiosk, and new curator shed. And the Burke Street Park will receive $480,000 for a new pump track with a beginners and intermediate loop, a rest platform, bike racks, signage, access paths, seating, and landscaping.

The Fund is a game-changer for regional Victoria, with 67 infrastructure projects and 8 participation initiatives now supported, as part of more than $2.4 billion invested by the Labor government in community sports infrastructure.

Community sport growth

In the past two years alone more than 330 community sports projects have increased participation by almost 43 percent or more than 70,200 new participants, including a 19 percent increase in junior girls playing sports.

That's more people of all ages and abilities swimming, playing soccer, netball, volleyball, skateboarding, cycling and more at a range of facilities from skate parks to netball courts, close to home. Local economies are also winners, with more than 1,170 direct full-time jobs supported in the delivery of more than $538 million worth of community sport and active recreation infrastructure across Victoria.

The Victorian Budget 2025/26 is investing $20 million to continue providing new and improved community sports infrastructure through initiatives like the statewide Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, which will be open for applications in the coming months. For more information about the fund and successful projects visit Sport and Recreation Victoria website.

Regional sport boost

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said, "These projects will be a game changer for regional communities, giving them modern facilities they can be
proud of."

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said, "Thank you to everyone who helped to advocate for this funding - I'm overjoyed that we can now upgrade more community sport facilities across West Gippsland to give local families even more ways to get out and
get active."

"From basketball and swimming, to soccer and skateboarding and everything in between, we have transformed community sports facilities across West Gippsland and supported new teams, memberships and a full calendar of competition and training," said Ms Shing.

Pictures from Sport and Recreation Victoria website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com