Our Work
Sports Focus is funded to work with sport and active recreation organisations across the Loddon Campaspe region. See below for the areas of work we are currently funded in.
Club Development and Support
Sports Focus receives funding from the Victorian State Government’s Together More Active program to support club development. This is to ensure that our local sport and recreation clubs are well-run and that volunteers have the support they need.
Staff provide one-on-one club development information, advice, and support to club volunteers around a whole range of issues including: disputes, governance, incorporation issues, funding applications, club planning, training, participation.
We assist clubs with policy development and implementation, boosting participation, education of volunteers and ensuring correct governance procedures are followed.
We advocate on behalf of local sport working in partnership with local and state government and state sporting associations in the planning of facilities and programs to ensure the best outcome for our region.
Disability Inclusion
Sports Focus is funded by Sport and Recreation Victoria through their Together More Active funding to deliver the Access for All Abilities program across the Loddon Campaspe region. Through this program, Sports Focus works with sport and active recreation clubs and providers to develop inclusive, welcoming and safe opportunities and environments for people of all abilities. We also connect with local Disability Support Services to support their clients to find a sport or active recreation activity that suits their needs.
Sporting clubs can offer so many opportunities for people with a disability whether it be participating on the field, court etc or volunteering to help run the club.
Whether you are a sport or active recreation club or provider looking to be more inclusive, Disability Service Provider or an individual looking for new activities Sports Focus is here to help!
LGBTIQA+ Inclusion
Sports Focus has received funding from the City of Greater Bendigo’s Partnering for Impact Grants to support LGBTIQA+ inclusion in sport across Greater Bendigo. Sports Focus is working with a number of stakeholders to provide training, develop resources and engage sporting clubs.
Mental Health
Sports Focus is funded to deliver the Tackle Your Feelings Program within the Loddon Campaspe region. Tackle Your Feelings is a mental health training initiative designed for community football netball clubs that strives to improve the abilities and awareness of mental health by building skills to foster an environment where players are supported to effectively manage their emotions.
Youth Participation
The Regional Sports Partnership is informed by VicHealth’s 2023-2033 Strategy, with the aim to improve the health and wellbeing of rural and regional children and young people (age 0-25) by providing more suitable sport, recreation and play opportunities.
In addition to increasing youth participation opportunities, Sports Focus works to reduce barriers, influence policy and build capacity within the community through partnerships and community engagement.
Gender Equality
Sports Focus is partnering with La Trobe University after receiving funding through Sport & Recreation Victoria’s Preventing Violence Through Sport program from 2022-2024.
Over a 2 year period, this project aims to build the capacity and determine the readiness of regional community sport and recreation to prevent and respond to family violence, sexual violence and violence against women both in sport and through sport.