Hume council will continue to fund its Sports Aid Grants Program (SAGP) after reaching a record milestone, with more than 150 young people receiving funding support in the past year.
The 2024-25 program, launched in August 2024, attracted the highest number of applications since the initiative began in 1993 with 197 total applications received by council, of which 150 were successful.
The successful grants shared a total of $38,610.91 in funding to help cover costs relating to competition entry fees, uniforms, equipment and travel.
The SAGP is designed to assist residents aged 24 and under to participate in sport and physical activity, particularly those facing financial barriers.
Councillor Karen Sherry pointed out the success of the sports aid grants in assisting a large number of young locals to achieve their goals in sporting.
”It’s great to see Hume City Council continues to support young people to participate in sports and physical activities by providing sports aid grants to a record 150 young people during the last financial year.” she said.
Since its early days as a Broadmeadows council initiative in the 1980s, the program has grown to support athletes competing at a state level as well as a national and international level, as well as to help those experiencing hardship to stay active in their local community.
Basketball, football, soccer, swimming, tennis and cricket were among the most popular sports supported this year, with 15 per cent of recipients identifying as living with a disability.
Councillor Kate Hamley said, “these sports aid grants help make this possible for a lot of families in our community which is really fantastic.”
Council noted 66 per cent of successful applicants were male, prompting changes to encourage greater participation from women and gender diverse young people.
As part of the annual review, the 2025-26 guidelines have been updated to aim for 50-50 gender representation among successful applicants, with the council also working to cap funding to particular sports and categories if necessary in an aim to ensure diversity.
