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Office of Sport

Community Sport Recovery Package

Following the success of the Community Sport Recovery Package in 2020, the NSW Government is making up to $20.3 million available in 2021, helping ensure sport and recreation organisations recommence operations and NSW residents can resume the activities they love.

About the Community Sport Recovery Package

Up to $20.3 million of this funding has been allocated to the Community Sport Recovery Package 2021, helping ensure sport and recreation organisations recommence operations and NSW residents can resume the activities they love.

The following components make up the Community Sport Recovery Package 2021:

  • Grassroots Sport Fund - up to $12.45 million
  • Sport and Recreation Support - up to $7.8 million

The Community Sport Recovery Package also includes Cross Border Sport Fund (up to $50,000). More information about the Cross Border Sport Fund is available here

Grassroots Sport Fund

The Grassroots Sport Fund will provide a one-off grant of up to $1,000 to around 12,500 eligible local clubs and associations across the State to assist them with recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 and the recommencement of community sport.

The Grassroots Sport Fund will support eligible sporting clubs and associations affiliated to State Sporting Organisations (SSOs) and State Sporting Organisations for People with Disability (SSODs) recognised by the Office of Sport.

The Grassroots Sport Fund will assist organisations with fixed costs, irrecoverable costs due to cancellation of events that were incurred as a result of COVID-19 stay at home orders or for activities associated with a return to sport.

The application process for the Grassroots Sport Fund will be administered by the respective SSO/SSOD for each sport and supported by the Office of Sport where required.

Important dates

  • SSO/SSOD’s provide list of Clubs and Associations - from Wednesday 10 November 2021 but no later than Friday 26 November 2021 
  • Payment of funding to SSOs/SSOD’s for distribution to Clubs and Associations - from 13 December 2021 
  • Applications from clubs/associations to SSO/SSOD’s close - 1:00pm, Thursday 31 March 2022 

Funding available

The Grassroots Sport Fund will provide a one-off grant of up to $1,000 to around 12,500 eligible local clubs and associations across the State to assist them with recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 and the recommencement of community sport. 

Eligible applicants

The following are core eligibility criteria:

  • The local club, association or organisation must be affiliated prior to 23 October 2021 with a recognised SSO or SSOD outlined in Appendix A in the Guidelines;
  • The local club, association or organisation must be a legal entity whose primary purpose is to organise sporting activities / deliver sport programs;
  • The local club, association or organisation must be registered or have a registered business address in NSW;
  • The local club, association or organisation must have registered members and participants;
  • If the local club or association is a school it must offer programs to the public; and
  • The local club, association or organisation must use the payment for an approved purpose

The following are examples of organisations which may not be eligible:

  • Local clubs, associations or organisations which are not affiliated with a recognised SSO or SSOD;
  • Local clubs, associations or organisations which are not based in NSW;
  • Local clubs, associations or organisations which applied and received funding from the Grassroots Sport Fund through another SSO/SSOD;
  • Local club or association that are schools that don’t provide programs to the public; and
  • Organisations named by the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse on its Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme

Application process

The application process for the Grassroots Sport Fund will be administered by the respective SSO/SSOD for each sport and supported by the Office of Sport where required.

An SSO/SSOD will communicate the application process to its affiliated clubs and associations. Please read the guidelines for more information.

Sport and Recreation Support

Up to $7.8 million will be provided to SSOs, SSODs, PCYC NSW, Surf Lifesaving NSW and YMCA NSW to support the operations of these organisations in enabling the recommencement of sport and recreation activities. 

Important dates

  • Applications open Wednesday 10 November 2021  
  • Applications close 1.00pm, Friday 26 November 2021
  • Assessment stage - within 30 days of submission
  • Outcomes advised - within 60 days of submission
  • Funding agreements executed - within 60 days of submission

Funding available

Up to $7.8 million is available to eligible organisations through the Sport and Recreation Support stream.

Eligible organisations will be advised of the amount they can apply for under the Fund.

Eligible applicants

The following criteria must be satisfied to be eligible for the Sport and Recreation Support stream. The organisation:

  • must be a SSO or SSOD that is recognised by the Office of Sport before 26 June 2021 and is registered in NSW or has a registered business address in NSW; or
  • must be PCYC NSW, YMCA NSW or Surf Life Saving NSW; and
  • must complete the Office of Sport COVID-19 Recovery Support Tool; and
  • must not have been named by the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse on its Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the National Redress Scheme list.

Application process

The Office of Sport will send an email and link to a SmartyGrants form to all recognised SSOs, SSODs and PCYC NSW, YMCA NSW and Surf Life Saving NSW. 

Please read the guidelines for more information.

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