Sports Central is funded by VicHealth through the Regional Sport Program 2018-21 to engage less active Victorians in rural and regional areas in sport. Through this program, VicHealth aims to improve the health of regional Victorians.
Sports Central will work with local partners to create more opportunities for less active Victorians to be physically active through sport and active recreation with focus on young people (12-17), women and girls, and older adults by:
- Supporting clubs to implement social or modified sport programs (e.g. State Sporting Association programs)
- Addressing gaps in participation pathways by supporting clubs to introduce new teams, programs or competitions
- Supporting clubs to use club facilities and venues as places for delivering active recreation opportunities (e.g. Yoga in Bowls Clubs)
Sports Central will develop locally relevant strategies informed by community consultation, local insights and the identification of local gaps and opportunities. Based on these strategies, Sports Central will work with local and state partners to initiate and support delivery of participation opportunities, and support clubs and other stakeholders to ensure successful programs can be sustainable in the longer term.