Travel grants on offer to take Victorian athletes even further
Posted on 23 January, 2012
Elite Victorian athletes can now apply for up to $2,000 Victorian Government grants to help travel to major competitions and events.
Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty today announced applications for a share in the Victorian Government’s new $2 million Elite Athlete Travel Grants Program were now open; part of a 2010 election commitment.
“Victoria’s top up-and-coming athletes can face a number of hurdles throughout their sporting careers, especially when travelling to qualifying events around Australia and the world,” Mr Delahunty said.
“These grants will go a long way towards removing the barrier of travel and accommodation costs, so our top Victorian athletes can focus on the task at hand; to represent their communities, Victoria or Australia at the highest level.
“The grants cover a range of sports from Olympic and Commonwealth Games sports to any other sport with formal national and international competitions.
“They provide more opportunity for all our top sportspeople to take their careers to the next level by offering valuable financial support toward travel to major events.”
Eligible athletes must be recognised by their State Sporting Association as a representative of Victoria or Australia; or be eligible to compete at the highest level nationally and internationally. Tier 1 VIS and AIS scholarship holders are not eligible, as they already receive assistance.
“Supporting our top athletes on their journey towards success is one of the many ways the Victorian Government is ensuring even more people can play sport, reach their full potential and get more active more often,” Mr Delahunty said.
Mr Delahunty said the $2 million funding towards the Elite Athlete Travel Grants Program will be spread over four years allowing even more athletes the opportunity to apply for the grants in the future.
The first two closing dates for the program are on 1 February and 1 May 2012. For more information about the Elite Athlete Travel Grants Program visit www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/home/grants