From blind cricket and adaptive climbing to accessible surfing and walking hockey, regional Victorians with disability are enjoying greater access to the sports they love.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes has announced sports clubs and community organisations across northern Victoria will receive grants to strengthen and expand opportunities for people disability on and off the field.

The Regional All Abilities Participation Grants (RAAPG) provides funding of up to $25,000 to boost access, inclusion and participation.

It’s about helping more people with a disability benefit from the physical, social and mental health advantages of sport and active recreation.

Successful recipients in northern Victoria include:

• Christie Centre Inc in Mildura – $25,000 for sporting programs for people with a disability
• Mallee Sports Assembly Inc – $25,000 for the 2026 Mildura Tri State Games – Games Ambassadors
• Mallee Sports Assembly Inc – a further $25,000 for the 2026 Mildura Tri State Games
• Murray Human Services Inc – over $13,000 for the Inclusive Fitness & Sport Program – Adaptive Training for All Abilities
• Vic Country Veterans Cricket Club Incorporated – almost $5,000 for the Veterans Cricket Victoria Echuca Festival
• Swan Hill Gymnastics Club Inc – $25,000 for a tumbling trampoline, crash mats, and sensory balancing equipment
• Sport Inclusion Australia in Benalla – $25,000 for the Empowering Inclusion Through Strengthening Eligibility Support program
• Longwood Football Netball Club Inc – almost $3,000 to build an inclusive and safe future for Longwood FNC
• Riding for the Disabled Association of Victoria in Seymour – over $4,000 for therapeutic saddle pads and close contact saddles for disability riders
• Seymour Cricket Club – over $7,000 to purchase a bowling machine for inclusive training sessions
• Next Ability Academy in Seymour – $25,000 to run Training Clinics for Elite Country AFL players (Intellectual Disability)
• Rutherglen Golf Club Inc – over $7,000 for a golf simulator
• Wodonga Rifle Club Incorporated – almost $13,000 for an electronic target to help elderly and disabled members
• Basketball Victoria Inc in West Wodonga – $25,000 for basketball sport wheelchairs
• Wodonga Tennis Centre – over $18,000 for Inclusive Tennis for All – Accessibility and Participation Program
• Community Accessibility Incorporated in Wangaratta – almost $7,000 for a New Disabled Activities Project
• Snow Australia Limited in Mount Buller – over $24,000 for an Adaptive Fundamental Camp
• Biathlon Australia Limited in Hotham Heights – $25,000 for the Para Biathlon 4 All program
• Disabled Wintersport Australia in Falls Creek, Mount Hotham and Mount Buller – $25,000 for a Regional Adaptive Equipment Technician
• Disabled Wintersport Australia in Falls Creek, Mount Hotham and Mount Buller – a further $20,000 for regional equipment replacement
• AUSactive – $25,000 for the Million Moves Program – All Abilities
• East Shepparton Bowls Club – over $15,000 for coloured lawn bowls and uniforms for disabled participants
• Shepparton Access – $25,000 for the Shepparton Access All Abilities Sport and Recreation Program
• Shepparton Riding for the Disabled – almost $15,000 for their ‘Saddle Up’ program

These grants are part of Labor’s $40 million All Abilities Sport Fund, removing barriers for people with disability to get involved in sport and recreation in regional Victoria.

For more information on the grants and a full list of recipients, visit sport.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

“We’re delighted to support more programs that open up more all-abilities opportunities for Victorians – as instructors, coaches, volunteers or administrators.”

“This initiative creates inclusive spaces where people with disability can not only participate – but kick start new opportunities to learn and excel in a range of roles in the sports they love.”