Programs, policies and supporting structures

GrantConnect. Provides centralised publication of forecast and current Australian Government grant opportunities and grants awarded.

Regional Sport and Active Recreation Plans, NSW Office of Sport, (accessed 5 December 2023). In 2018, the NSW Office of Sport developed nine Regional Sport and Active Recreation Plans. Each Regional Sport and Active Recreation Plan focuses on achieving six outcomes by undertaking a series of region and non-region specific strategies over the next decade.

These outcomes are:

• Increase the PARTICIPATION of adults and children in regular sport and active recreation.
• Improve ACCESS to sport and active recreation for everyone in the region, regardless of participant background or ability.
• Integrate PERFORMANCE PATHWAYS for participants in sport.
• Deliver fit for purpose FACILITIES in the region.
• Deliver sporting EVENTS which are valued by the region.
• Improved COLLABORATION within the sport and active recreation sector.

Regional Growth Fund, NSW Government, [past grant]. The Regional Growth fund ran from 2017 to 2023 through several grant programs designed to improve local and regional services, promote economic development and social cohesion, and enhance social wellbeing of people living and working in regional NSW.

Remote sport program, Northern Territory Government, (accessed 5 December 2023). The remote sport program funds sport and recreational activities in remote areas of the Northern Territory (NT).

Athlete development programs, Northern Territory Government, (accessed 5 December 2023) . In collaboration with the Community Sport Officer team, the Northern Territory Sports Academy (NTSA) will partner with Peak Sporting Bodies (PSBs), Regional Councils and other stakeholders to design and implement processes, practices and programs specific to supporting the long-term development and involvement of athletes in sport across the Territory.

Activate Queensland 2019-2029. As part of this strategy the Queensland Government identifies 'Regional and remote communities' as a key area of focus. This includes providing solutions that support communities in need to address barriers to physical activity, ensuring athletes are supported to live, train and compete across Queensland (including improving access for athletes from regional and remote areas to top-level facilities and expertise on the performance pathways).

Regional school sport, Queensland Government, (accessed 5 December 2023). Queensland Representative School Sport (QRSS) aims to provide, foster and develop sport within state schools and colleges, and the non-state schools affiliated with QRSS. This is achieved through coordination of regional programs across our 12 school sport regions.

Deadly Active Sport and Recreation Program [grant], Queensland Government, (accessed 5 December 2023). Funding is now available to support the 17 discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2025 to support projects that address community identified and prioritised needs to increase physical activity participation.

Torres Strait Community Sport and Recreation Program [grant], Queensland Government, (accessed 5 December 2023). Provides funding to enable culturally appropriate physical activities that address community-identified and prioritised needs, support appropriate physical activity participation, administer a small grants program to support travel to competitions. This program has been extended, with supported activities to be completed by 30 June 2025.

The Game Plan: A plan for organised sport And Active Recreation in the Central Highlands, Central Highlands Regional Council, (December 2017). The Game Plan is a 10-year plan for organised sport and active recreation in the Central Highlands region. It outlines the goals and aspirations for our sporting clubs, facilities and programs. More than 100 sports clubs and 250 sports people participated in 352 hours of community engagement, 144 hours of face-to-face consultation, multiple surveys and roadshow stops. Indicators of long-term success will include increased participation in sport and active recreation, healthy sports clubs and communities and efficient and adaptable multi-user facilities.

State Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Plan, Government of South Australia, Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing (accessed 16 November 2023). The Plan has been created to support sport and recreation from the grassroots to the elite level by ensuring that the facilities required to achieve this are available to all South Australians.

In addition, a number of supporting resources have been created to help organisations when considering a new facility, planning of a new facility and management of a new facility.

• How to Establish Regional Planning Groups – Guide, (July 2018).
• How to Develop a Regional Recreation and Sport Plan - Guide, (July 2018).
• How to Plan For a Community Recreation and Sports Hub - Guide, (July 2018).
• Recreation and Sport Facility Design – Guide, (July 2018).
• Recreation and Sport Facility Management – Guide, (July 2018).

Regional Sport Victoria (RSV) is the peak body supporting nine independent organisations across regional Victoria. These organisations, classed as Regional Sports Assemblies, are charged with supporting the sport and recreation sector within their regional area. The RSV cluster supports locally based community sport and recreation provision on a statewide basis, including the provision of training, information, advice, skill development, linkages and advocacy with and for clubs, organisations and communities.

• Regional Sports Assemblies Network Youth Charter. This charter reflects the Regional Sports Assemblies (RSA’s) commitment to empowering the young people of regional Victoria, by enabling their voice and influence regarding decisions made in youth focused sport and active recreation.

Regional Sport Partnership, VicHealth, (accessed 5 December 2023). To improve the health and wellbeing of young people living in rural and regional Victoria, VicHealth has partnered with nine Regional Sports Assemblies. The assemblies will then work with local sport clubs and associations, active recreation providers, local councils, recreation facilities and other community grassroots organisations to deliver the physical activity and social connection opportunities young people want and need.

Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund, Victorian Government, [grant], (2023-2024). Open to Victorian rural and regional Local Government Authorities and Alpine Resorts Victoria.
The Fund aims to deliver new and upgraded community sports infrastructure across four streams: Indoor Stadiums and Aquatic Facilities; Community Facilities; Women and Girls Facilities; All Abilities Infrastructure.

Country Football and Netball Program, Victorian Government, [past grant]. Delivered in partnership with the AFL, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria, the 2023-24 Country Football and Netball Program provided funding to assist regional football and netball clubs, associations and umpiring organisations to upgrade and develop facilities in rural, regional and outer metropolitan locations.

Sport and recreation in regional WA, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, (accessed 5 December 2023). Engagement with regional development stakeholders is a particular focus of the regional service. As each Regional Development Commission develops its Regional Investment Blueprint, the department ensures sport and recreation is positioned so that future investment decisions ensure liveable regional communities and it supports healthy and active lifestyles.

Regional athlete support program, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, (accessed 5 December 2023). The Western Australian Government invested $3 million into talented athletes, coaches and officials in regional areas from 2021 to 2023. The Regional Athlete Support Program is a statewide network supporting regional-based talented athletes, coaches and officials which allows athletes to continue their development and progress along the athlete pathway from their home environment.

Active Regional Communities Grants, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, (accessed 5 December 2023). An ongoing grant program that provides opportunities for regional people to participate in sporting and active recreational activities.

Regional Athlete Travel Subsidy Scheme, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, (accessed 5 December 2023). An ongoing grant program that provides funding assistance to regional Western Australian athletes (aged 13 to 21 years) who aspire to reach their full sporting potential.

North West Travel Subsidy, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, (accessed 5 December 2023). The ongoing grant program aims to encourage participation in identified sport and active recreation activities for athletes (primarily those aged 13 to 18 years) living in the regions of the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne and other remote locations within the Mid West and Goldfields regions.

Regional Academy of Sport Grant Program Recipients, NSW Office of Sport, (accessed 5 December 2023). The NSW Office of Sport supports and provides grants to Regional Academies of Sport in the state. In 2023, eleven Regional Academies and Regional Academies of Sport Inc. NSW received funding for up to 3 years (2023-2025).

The NSW regional academies help developing athletes reach their potential by providing specialist services within a local environment. Regional academies provide a stepping stone for athletes on the pathway to elite athlete development as they progress from local club to NSW Institute of Sport support.

• Central Coast Academy of Sport (Mingara)
• Hunter Academy of Sport (Newcastle)
• Illawarra Academy of Sport (Wollongong)
• North Coast Academy of Sport (Lismore)
• Northern Inland Academy of Sport (Tamworth)
• South West Sydney Academy of Sport (Campbelltown)
• Southern Sports Academy (Wagga Wagga)
• Western Region Academy of Sport (Bathurst)
• Western Sydney Academy of Sport (Parramatta)
• Far West Academy of Sport (Warren)
• South East Sports Academy (South East NSW)

Regional Academies of Sport (RASi) is a network of nine independent community-based academies operating across New South Wales. Member Academies include Central Coast Academy of Sport, Hunter Academy of Sport, Illawarra Academy of Sport, North Coast Academy of Sport, Northern Inland Academy of Sport, Southern Sports Academy, South West Sydney Academy of Sport, Western Region Academy of Sport and Western Sydney Academy of Sport.

Gold Coast Academy of Sport (GCAS). A not-for-profit organisation that aims to offer the community inclusive sports development programs for youth who are committed to high achievement. The Academy is the first in Queensland. The business partners of the GCAS include the Gold Coast City Council, local business on the Gold Coast, and a host of other corporate sponsors.

Limestone Coast Regional Sporting Academy (LCRSA). Provides aspiring young athletes that have demonstrated sporting talent and physical abilities the chance to access elite localised training and development programs and coaches from the Limestone Coast region.

Sport and Recreation Victoria assists in the development of an elite sport pathway for Victorian athletes, coaches, officials and administrators through the provision of support to the Victorian Institute of Sport and Regional Academies of Sport.

The Victorian Regional Academy of Sport Network includes six regional academies for emerging athletes to commence on a high performance pathway to elite competition. Each of these academies operates on a similar model to the Victorian Institute of Sport, with athletes supported with a range of high performance services using a scholarship model.

• Barwon Sports Academy
• Bendigo Academy of Sport
• Gippsland Sports Academy
• SouthWest Academy of Sport
• Sunraysia Academy of Sport
• WestVic Academy of Sport

Mid West Academy of Sport (MWAS), Geraldton, WA. Promotes, develops and services sporting talent (athletes, coaches, and officials) throughout the Mid West Region of Western Australia. The Academy concept was proven to be financially viable and has continued to attract support from the WA Department of Sport and Recreation with local businesses also providing a significant in-kind and financial support.

South West Academy of Sport (SWAS), Bunbury, WA. Is styled after the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) and successful regional models in the eastern states of Australia. It supports identified SWAS athletes to their reach potential through identified pathways and programs delivered in the South West with support services such as nutrition, fitness, injury prevention, and mental skills training to hold them in good stead for a future in sport.

Peel Regional Academy of Sports. The Peel Regional Academy of Sports provides a range of support to high performance athletes and coaches in the Peel Region. The program provides accessible services close the athletes home base, reducing the need for excessive travel and reducing the stress associated with this. Athletes who receive a scholarship will receive support with services such as strength and conditioning coaching and plan, gym membership, nutritional plans and education, as well as access to talent development workshops and coaching support.

Greater Southern Academy of Sport. To give talented Great Southern athletes and coaches every opportunity to achieve success and follow their dreams.

Talent development programs
As part of the Regional Athlete Support program the WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, provide support for seven talent development programs across regional and remote areas of the state.

• Broome Talent Development Program, Broome Sports Association. The Broome Talent Development Program aims to collaborate with community clubs to identify talented athletes, coaches and officials and provide programs to facilitate their development not only in their sport but also as an individual preparing them for higher representation.
• Esperance Talent Development Program, Shire of Esperance. The aim of the Program is to provide opportunities for the development of talented athletes, aged 13-21, who would fall into the categories T1 - T3 using the Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) “FTEM” assessment scale. Essentially this means the athletes will have displayed a degree of talent and also a desire to develop their performance capabilities. The program coordinates a range of strategies including education on topics such as nutrition, fitness and conditioning and mental health.
• Goldfields Sports Development Network. To support identified high performance athletes, programs and officials residing in the Goldfields region in gaining access to quality specialist coaching, sports services and facilities to support development to higher performance and elite levels in their chosen sport. The funding is designed to enhance the athlete’s daily training environment in their home town.
• Pilbara Academy of Sport Program
• Wheatbelt Academy of Sport Program
• Gascoyne Talent Development Program

Athletics for the Outback, Athletics Australia, (accessed 5 December 2023. Under AA's First Nations programs this initiative is focused on engaging regional and remote communities. It aims to create relevant programs through a consultation process prior to delivery.

Northern Territory (NT)

AFL Northern Territory - Remote projects. By harnessing the passion for Australian Rules Football, remote-based football initiatives are delivered by AFLNT to save extensive and dangerous travel time to access structured and supported sporting environments. Remote based football programs allow people to play their sport of preference on country of significance without the potential distractions of urban locations. All football initiatives are participatory driven to include children, youth and adults (males and female) in various programs. Football activities involve targeted messaging and specific programs based on advice from community elders, funding bodies and service providers. The remote projects are delivered in a culturally sensitive manner with consideration for local customs, traditions and cultural practices.

Queensland (QLD)

AFL Cape York. The purpose of AFL Cape York Ltd is to enhance the life skills of Indigenous Australians and increase the participation in sport through the AFL Game. The program has grown from not just encouraging AFL participation but more importantly offering AFL as a vehicle to create personal and community change. AFL Cape York staff encourage participants to go to school, say no to substance abuse and other drugs and discuss the negative affect violence is having on communities. Annually, AFL Cape York engages over 12,000 Participants face-to-face through our Game Development Team via Sport Education (In-School), Auskick (After-School), Kick and Catch, Crusader Cups (Development and Representative Pathways), Community Engagement Sessions and Coach Education Programs.

Victoria

Worksafe AFL Victoria Country, AFL Victoria. Over the past two decades, WorkSafe has helped to educate our country football clubs about the importance of workplace safety and has helped over 300 football clubs with funding and assistance.

AFL Community Camps, AFL Victoria. The AFL Community Camp program involves scheduled visits by AFL clubs to various regional communities across the country.

V/Line Cup, AFL Victoria. The V/Line Cup is Victoria's premier under 15s championship competition for country boys and girls footballers. For many Victorian country footballers and officials, the V/Line Cup provides a pathway to higher level talent programs such as the Coates Talent League and for some it is a step towards a career in the AFL or AFLW.

Country Football and Netball Program, Sport and Recreation Victoria. Delivered in partnership with the AFL, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria, the Country Football and Netball Program provides funding to assist regional football and netball clubs, associations and umpiring organisations to upgrade and develop facilities in rural, regional and outer metropolitan locations.

Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup, Basketball NSW . The first cup was held in 1985. Each year, upwards of 60 teams and 700 players, coaches and officials take part including teams from Western Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand in the U14, U16, and U18 age groups.

New South Wales

NSW Country Basketball, Basketball NSW. Basketball NSW have a Country Committee who are responsible for the development of & growth of our country regions

• John Martin Country Tournament. The John Martin NSW Country Basketball Tournament is held on the June long weekend of each year.
• Richard Boyle Country Grants Program. The NSW Country Committee has established the Richard Boyle Country Grants Program to support the development of basketball in country areas of New South Wales.

Northern Territory

Basketball NT. Basketball NT works with regional councils, health programs and schools to deliver basketball programs in remote communities throughout the NT.

South Australia

SA Country Basketball. Developing and supporting basketball activities in the South Australian country zone.

Victoria

Junior Country Championships, Basketball Victoria. The Junior Country Championships are conducted yearly for the U12, U14, U16 and U18 age groups. Regional affiliated associations and country Victorian athletes are accepted as events are held over multiple days in a round robin and knock out setting.

Country Basketball League, Basketball Victoria. The Country Basketball League (CBL) is an open age domestic representative league held across geographical conferences in regional Victoria.

Basketball Victoria Country Award, Basketball Victoria. Each year the Awards recognise the valuable work of Victorian country basketball associations, as well as individuals from within the Victorian basketball community.

Jack Terril Medal, Basketball Victoria. The Jack Terrill Medal is named in honour of the former Basketball Victoria Country founding President and long-time Basketball Victoria Country Council Member, the late Mr Jack Terrill. This annual award recognises a significant and outstanding contribution by an individual to Basketball in Country Victoria.

Western Australia

Basketball WA Country, Basketball WA. The Basketball WA Country Championships is open to all affiliated Country Associations

New South Wales

Regional cricket content strategy, Cricket NSW, (2023). Regional NSW accounts for around
half of the state’s registered players; more than 250 adolescent cricketers (aged 13-19 years)
in the Cricket NSW pathway system; and produces over 50% of NSW’s contracted professional
cricketers.

Country Cricket NSW

Queensland

Queensland Country Cricket Association

South Australia

Country Cricket, South Australia Cricket Association (SACA). SACA is committed to developing cricket in country South Australia through full time support staff, access to policy frameworks and funding for facilities and equipment.

Victoria

Victorian Country Cricket League (VCCL), Cricket Victoria. VCCL is the umbrella representative organisation for all Victorian country cricket associations and clubs. For administrative purposes, country Victoria is divided into eight Regions created under the League's constitution.

Western Australia

WA Country Cricket Board

Cricket in rural Australia! [video; 2:48mins], Cricket Australia, (February 2020). In small Australian towns, sport is the lifeblood of the community! This is the story of how the Woolworths Community Fund has brought cricket to Mullewa and Mount Magnet in remote Western Australia.

Western Australia

Regional Talent Program, Gymnastics WA.  The purpose of the plan is to identify, develop and support athletes and coaches in Regional WA, ensuring that Gymnastics WA delivers outcomes that align with the organisation’s strategic plan in a structured and consistent manner.

Queensland (QLD)

• Diamond Spirit, Netball Queensland, (accessed 12 May 2023). Diamond Spirit is a holistic community engagement programme, which uses netball as a vehicle to engage, empower, and educate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in remote and regional communities across Queensland.

Road to Regions, NRL (accessed 5 December 2023). The initiative targets regional and remote areas of Australia and New Zealand with the specific objective to support and empower rugby league communities, to ensure their success and to grow the game. These visits include targeted educational programs at schools, visits to junior rugby league clubs, meet and greets, development opportunities i.e., coaching and refereeing updates, and participation in local community events.

New South Wales

NSWRL Country Championships, NSW Rugby League (accessed 5 December 2023). The championships serve to showcase rugby league talent from regional and country areas of the state.

SLE Andrew Johns Cup, NSW Rugby League. The Under-16s Andrew Johns Cup is NSW's regional representative competition, renamed after True Blue Andrew Johns in 2018.

SLE Laurie Daly Cup, NSW Rugby League. The Under-18s Laurie Daley Cup is NSW's regional representative competition, renamed after True Blue Laurie Daley in 2018.

Queensland

Beetson-Gibbs Interstate Outback Challenge. Queensland Outback verses New South Wales Outback. Players from rural and remote areas are selected to represent their respective states.

South Australia

Limestone Coast Rugby League, National Rugby League South Australia (NRLSA). This unique competition works in collaboration with Country Victoria:

New South Wales

NSW Country Rugby Union. NSWCRU offers 4 forms of rugby union, XV’s, 10’s, 7’s and Touch Rugby.

Queensland

Queensland Country Rugby Championships, Queensland Rugby. The Country Championships present the opportunity for Country based players to represent their region and vie for Queensland Country Heelers selection. The Championships are contested in U19 and Open levels by South Queensland, Central Queensland and North Queensland.

New South Wales

NSW Country Championships, Tennis NSW. Since the 1920’s the best Country Juniors and Seniors have competed for the more than 30 perpetual trophies on offer. Previous winners include Tony Roche, Mark Edmondson, Jason Stoltenberg, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Jan O’Neill (nee Lehane) and in more recent times Nathan Healey and Ashley Fisher.

Northern Territory

Tennis NT - Racquets and red dust, Northern Visuals Australia, YouTube, (6 April 2021). Provides an overview of some of the features of the Racquets and Red Dust program which aims to introduce 600 Aboriginal youth living in remote communities to tennis. Some more information about the program is available as part of Tennis NT's Reconciliation Action Plan.

South Australia

Country Carnival, Tennis South Australia. The Country Carnival is South Australia’s showcase event for regional affiliates and their members. It is an opportunity for players to represent their Association and participate in a competitive yet fun and enjoyable environment.

Victoria

Regional Academies of Sport, Tennis Victoria. Tennis Victoria provides resources and works closely with the Regional Academy network across country Victoria to deliver tennis programs and a pathway that complement each athletes existing weekly programs with their private coach in their local environment.

Country Tennis Week, Tennis Victoria. Tennis Victoria Country Week is a week-long tennis event held in Country Victoria in early February of each year. Over 1300 players participate in this annual event, playing tennis on 100 grass courts (permanent and temporary).

Inter-Regional Country Championships, Tennis Victoria. The Tennis Victoria Inter-regional Country Championships are an annual teams and individual tournament played in early January over three days at a regional venue in Victoria.