Sports Central is collaborating with VicHealth and Regional Sport Victoria to “Set the Standard” in the Central Highlands region Set The Standard aims to connect

Through Play It Safe, we are inviting the Central Highlands sporting community to share their perspectives on health, safety and wellbeing in community sport. By having your say, you will help us better understand local challenges, needs and opportunities and inform practical initiatives that create safer, healthier and more inclusive sporting environments across the region.

Sporting clubs, schools and community organisations across the Central Highlands can now access free support to create more welcoming and inclusive environments through the Sport4All Program. Based at Sports Central, Heidi Biggin is the Sport4All Inclusion Coach for the Central Highlands Region.

The free Daughters of the West program returns to Ballarat in 2026, offering women aged 18+ the opportunity to improve their physical, mental and social wellbeing through fitness, education and meaningful community connections. Over 10 weeks, participants will gain practical tools, build confidence and form lasting friendships in a welcoming and supportive environment. Places are limited, so register early.

Sports Central’s Allies in Sport project is engaging men in sporting club leadership roles across Ballarat to promote healthy masculinity, gender equality and respectful behaviour. Through education, support and practical action, the project will equip male leaders to help create safer, more inclusive sporting environments where women and girls are supported to participate, coach and lead.

The latest version of the 2026 Winter Accessible Sport Calendar is now available, showcasing a wide range of inclusive and all abilities sporting opportunities across Ballarat and surrounding areas from April to September.

The Victorian Government’s Regional All Abilities Participation Grants are now open, providing funding to grassroots sport and active recreation clubs and community-based not-for-profit organisations across regional Victoria to support sustainable initiatives that remove barriers to participation and create more inclusive opportunities for people with disability to participate in sport and active recreation.

The Victorian Government’s Sporting Club Grants Program is now open, offering funding to help community sport and active recreation organisations grow and thrive. With grants available across five categories, the program supports grassroots clubs to reduce participation barriers, strengthen skills, and build active, connected local communities.

Sports Central is currently recruiting for two exciting opportunities: Project Coordinator – Sport Development Lead and Project Coordinator – Equity and Respect Lead. If you’re passionate about strengthening community sport and creating positive outcomes across the Central Highlands, we’d love to hear from you.

Sports Central, in partnership with Golden Plains Shire Council and Moorabool Shire Council, is delivering a free Club Development Workshop Series designed to strengthen community sporting clubs across the region. This series provides practical, hands-on learning opportunities for committee members, volunteers, coaches and emerging leaders, with a focus on leadership, governance, inclusion and sustainable club development.