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Allan Labor government backs regional Gippsland sports with $230,000 for Life Saving Victoria's Gippsland Sports Hub program

The Allan Labor government is supporting regional sports in Gippsland with a $230,000 grant for Life Saving Victoria's Gippsland Sports Hub, boosting local sports, skills, and community engagement.

By news@gippsland - 9th December 2024 - Back to News

A new Allan Labor government program is backing more community sports in regional Victoria including here in Gippsland. Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh announced today that Life Saving Victoria would be one of the seven recipients sharing in more than $1 million in grants from the Strengthening Regional Community Sport program in regional Victoria.

The Strengthening Regional Community Sport 2024-2027 program will fund local, strategic projects to increase participation and strengthen Gippsland sports communities

Boosting regional sports

Life Saving Victoria (LSV) will receive $230,000 for its Gippsland Sports Hub participation project - which will work to boost local sports by hosting several events, but also developing a regional pipeline for athletes, volunteers, and their families. The Gippsland Sports Hub program will also improve LSV members' rescuing skills, upskill and train new officials, and invest in new equipment.

LSV will also work with local sporting groups, including GippSport, to keep lifesavers engaged. Strengthening Regional Community Sport is designed to help bring organisations, clubs, leagues and associations in regional Victoria together to work on tailored, localised projects that remove barriers, create opportunities, support volunteers and increase participation.

The program is part of the Labor government's $60 million Regional Community Sport Development Fund that is delivering infrastructure and programs to support more regional Victorian families and children to get involved in sport. For more information on the grants and to view the full list of recipients Sport and Recreation Victoria website.

Supporting regional sports

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said, "Grassroots clubs and competitions are the heart of regional communities, and these grants are helping organisations expand their programs and get more people involved in sport and recreation. Regional sport is as popular as ever and we're making sure local clubs have the coaches, volunteers and administrators they need to grow and thrive."

Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh said, "Coming into Summer we know how important our amazing lifesavers are, and I'm thrilled to see them supported in Gippsland."

Strengthening regional sports

Life Saving Victoria General Manager - Member Engagement Emma Atkins said, "The Gippsland Sports Hub is an exciting pilot project for developing regional hubs, aiming to work with local groups such as GippSport, our Life Saving Clubs and Aquatic facilities to:

• Strengthen local sports
• Enhance health and wellness through physical activity and connection
• Rescue skills through lifesaving sport
• Create an inclusive pathway for participation for athletes, volunteers, and their families

"This initiative will build community connection, resilience, and long-term sustainability in regional sports," Ms Atkins said.

Pictures from Life Saving Victoria Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com