The Australian government, through the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), has announced an initiative designed to provide financial assistance for junior sportsmen and women towards the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment when competing at an official national sporting organisation (NSO) endorsed state or national sporting competitions.

$1.6 million has been allocated to help offset these costs through the Local Sporting Champions grant program - individuals can apply for up to $500 and teams can apply for up to $3000.

To be eligible to apply for a Local Sporting Champions grant, individuals and all team members must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be between 12 and 18 years of age (inclusive) at the time of the nominated sporting competition;

• Be participating as an athlete in an official state or national sporting competition which is endorsed by the relevant ASC recognised NSO or national school sport competition (this does not include coaching or officiating at such competitions);

• Be required to travel greater than 250km return to participate in the eligible competition;

• Be an Australian citizen;

• Must not have been a recipient of a Local Sporting Champions grant, either as an individual or a team member, within the year ending 30 June 2009;

• Must not have received funding from other government sources for the same competition;

• Must not be participating in a professional competition that involved prize money.

Application forms are available online at http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/schools_and_juniors/juniors/get_involved/local_sporting_champions.

For further information please visit the website or contact the ASC on 02 6214 1111.

Community sport and recreation organisations in rural and regional Victoria may submit a CAGS application seeking one grant of up to $5,000. Projects that might be funded include:

• Initiatives to improve the operational effectiveness and efficiency of organisations - e.g. forward planning, governance, organisational restructure and financial management. Assistance is also available under this category to support the establishment of new sport and recreation organisations.

• Funding for coaches and officials, administrative staff and committee of management members to attend relevant training courses - e.g. courses for coaching or umpiring accreditation, first aid etc., training of committee members and/or administrators in financial management, governance or information technology. This category does not include funding to enhance the physical skills of players or members.

• Initiatives to help organisations provide accessible sport and active recreation opportunities for members of the local community. Priority will be given to initiatives which focus on one or more of the following target groups: people with a disability, women, Indigenous people, school-aged children, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and older adults.

Eligible organisations may also apply for up to two $500 Victalent grants to support developing athletes, coaches, officials and teams who are required to travel extensively in order to engage in training and competition.

VicTalent provides financial assistance to grassroots sport and recreation organisations in regional and rural Victoria to support developing athletes, coaches, officials and teams who travel extensively to train and compete.

This program is open for applications on an ongoing basis and has four application phases. Please refer to the guidelines for details. The closing date for applications for projects starting in the second half of 2008 has been extended until 18 April 2008.

The Emergency Facility and Equipment Replacement Fund is a statewide funding program to assist local sport and recreation clubs and organisations to replace essential sporting and first aid equipment lost or destroyed due to fire, theft or flood. Up to half the value - to a maximum of $2000 - may be compensated through this program.

Applications can be made at any time and you will need to provide:

• A full description of the nature and circumstances of the loss;

• Status of Insurance Cover;

• A Police report (if appropriate);

• Endorsement of State Sporting Association, Affiliated Association or Regional Sport Assembly;

• A list of stolen or damaged equipment and the cost of replacement from supplier.

Successful recipients must provide a statement of receipts and payments within 30 days of expenditure of funds.

For further information please visit the Emergency Facility and Equipment Replacement Fund website.

The Community Facility Funding Program contributes to the provision of high-quality and accessible community sport and recreation facilities across Victoria. Building Community Infrastructure provides grants to improve places where communities meet and interact. Applications under the Minor Facilities category are available for community groups, working in partnership with council, to develop or upgrade community sport and recreation facilities.

The Australian Sport Foundation (ASF) assists non-profit sporting clubs, organisations, schools, councils and community organisations to raise money for valid sport related projects. This can include:

• Building new clubrooms;

• Upgrading lighting;

• The purchase of equipment;

• Hosting a major event.

The ASF was developed by the Federal Government in 1986 to help sporting organisations in Australia to raise money through Corporate and public donations. Since that time the ASF has helped raise over $70m for the benefit of sport in Australia.

For further information please visit the ASF website, www.asf.org.au.