Recognising The Value of Community Sport
In the lead-up to the 2026 Victorian State Election, VicSport has created a campaign on behalf of the Victorian Sport and Active Recreation Sector. We have three asks of the next Victorian State Government, which push for greater investment in our sector, call for better access to facilities, and pitch an innovation fund so community sport can make greater use of technology and AI.
These three asks have been developed in consultation with our members and represent the three areas where government focus and investment is most urgent and will have the greatest impact.
Our media release can be found here
Please reach out to us with any questions on admin@vicsport.com.au.
The Campaign
VicSport is seeking the following commitments from the next Victorian State Government. These asks are on behalf of the community sport sector, the five million Victorians who participate in sport and active recreation and the many individuals who would like to participate but still face barriers to do so.
One - Raise standards across the sector to make Victoria the best place to be involved in sport and active recreation.
Increase investment in community sport, with multi-year funding so that state sporting organisations can plan for the future.
Our state sporting organisations are the backbone of community sport. They run the multiple leagues and competitions that take place across our regions and cities each week. But sport in Victoria is being run on a shoestring and reliant on the goodwill of volunteers to keep costs down.Confirmed multi-year funding will:
- Create fair, safe and inclusive sporting environments for all, especially children\
- Increase participation, including from underrepresented groups and communities
- Foster the next generation of elite athletes to go from playground to podium
- Capture data and insights to inform future policy making and infrastructure investment decisions
Two - Capitalise on existing facilities to create more community spaces to play.
Increase participation by opening school facilities.
VicSport is calling on the next Government of Victoria to require, through legislation, that all Government schools open their facilities for community use. Both schools and clubs need to be supported with the resources to do this effectively. We would like to see Government utilise technology to simplify and speed up the process.
Three - Innovate and adapt so the sector grows towards our vision for the future and Victorians don’t get left behind.
Create a sports accelerator and innovation fund of $1million per annum.
Victoria is already home to some of the most innovative sports technology startups in the world. We can bring this expertise into community sport to solve perennial problems our sector faces.From supporting volunteers to improved safeguarding for our children – we can harness technology and AI to drive meaningful change.
The Sports Accelerator and Innovation Fund will bring tech experts together with sector leaders to identify innovative solutions and take these from concept to pilot to product.
The Value of Sport
Sport is a critical piece of our social infrastructure. If we didn’t have sport, we would spend billions creating it, because the social return on investment in sport is high.
Being active is essential for our physical and mental health, and a healthier community means less pressure on our health services. Sport builds stronger communities, increases cohesion, and volunteering in sport gives us a sense of purpose and belonging.
Sport can even be used as a diversion pathway for young people caught up in a cycle of crime and offending behaviour or used as a tool to tackle loneliness.
“If we didn’t have sport, we’d be spending billions to create it."
- Jason Hellwig, VicSport Chair
HELP SPREAD THE WORD
VicSport has created a stakeholder kit that features assets for our members to help promote this Advocacy work.
By sharing with your audiences, you can help:
By sharing with your audiences, you can help:
- Raise awareness of the work being done by VicSport, the Victorian peak body for sport and active recreation
- Showcase to your members the work you have asked VicSport to present on your behalf
- Promote the advocacy piece to more members of the Victorian sport and recreation community
Check out the kit through the link below: