Sports clubs in Werribee will be supported to create new opportunities to get women, girls and less active Victorians playing sport thanks to $400,000 in VicHealth grants now up for grabs.

Local clubs are encouraged to apply for the latest round of VicHealth’s latest Active Club Grants, which open today, in an effort to get more women and girls involved in sport and increase social sport opportunities in the area.

Member for Werribee Tim Pallas said the funding would allow local sports clubs to provide more opportunities for Werribee electorate residents to become more active and improve their health.

“This is about making grassroots sports more accessible to Werribee’s locals, so everyone can get involved in the sports they love,” Tim Pallas said.

“We want everyone to get active and embrace a healthy lifestyle, regardless of their age, gender or ability.

“I encourage local clubs who want to get more people involved in their sport to submit an application today.”

VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said that with less than a third of us getting enough physical activity to benefit our health it was critical that sporting clubs were supported to offer more opportunities to get people moving.

“Our research shows many Victorians are not fitting the recommended amount of physical activity into their week,” Ms Rechter said.

“Women’s participation in sport is still lower than men’s, and due to many factors, including a lack of time and confidence, many women and girls find it hard to get active.

“These grants will also provide more opportunities for people from disadvantaged communities to take part in sport.

“We want to encourage sports clubs to offer new flexible and social sports programs to make it easier for people to make sport and physical activity a part of their everyday lives.

As part of VicHealth’s long-term plan to get more Victorians living healthier and happier lives, Active Club Grants provide funding of up to $3,000 or up to $10,000 to community sport clubs to create more opportunities for women and girls and social sport options. The grants form part of VicHealth’s work to address the recommendations from the recent Victorian State Government’s Inquiry into Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation.

Social sport includes more flexible, fun and less-structured opportunities with a focus on social interaction, and less emphasis on performance, results and competition. Sporting programs can be modified to increase opportunities across age, disability, skill level, fitness level, lifestyle, or location.

Clubs are encouraged to apply for the funding grants through the VicHealth website before round one closes at 4pm on Friday 22 September. For further information or to apply online, visit www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/activeclub.