The grants focus on female atheletes.
“One third of girls aged between five and eight years of age participate in organised sport outside of school hours, and between the ages of 15 and 17, the participation rate is 8 per cent less than the overall state average,” Mr Ayres said.
“We know our younger athletes are more likely to continue sport if it is take up at an early age, which makes this the perfect time for local sports groups to boost their female sport programs.
“Our female athletes are dominating on the world stage, look at the Diamonds, the Opals, the Jillaroos, the Matildas, the Hockeyroos, the Breakers, not to mention our Olympic gold medal winning Rugby Sevens.
“Women’s sport is the fastest growing area of many codes and we are now seeing more big name sponsors and media networks recognising the public’s appetite for prime time viewing, but more needs to be done, including cultivating participation at a grass roots level,” Mr Ayres said.
From today thousands of local clubs and organisations can apply for NSW Government grants of up to $20,000 under the Local Sport Grant Program and $50,000 under the Sport Development Grant Program.
The grants will cover initiatives such as new sport programs, community and nationwide events, facility upgrades or projects that improve participation in sport.
“From the bush to the city, sport is the lifeblood that unites communities. This is not just about female programs though, I encourage all sporting groups to apply for grants that will help people of all ages and abilities get involved in their local club or become more active,” Mr Ayres said.
For more information visit www.sportandrecreation.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants
