General Information
The Grassroots Sport Fund is part of the NSW Government’s Sport and Recreation Recovery and Rebuild Package – helping support the sector to get back on its feet.
The Grassroots Sport Fund, provides a one-off grant of up to $1,000 to eligible local clubs and associations across NSW that are affiliated with a recognised NSW State Sporting Organisation (SSO) or State Sporting Organisation for People with Disability (SSOD)
Eligibility
The local club or association must be a NSW based club and association that are legal entity and affiliated with a NSW State Sporting Organisation (SSO) or State Sporting Organisation for People with Disability (SSOD) that is recognised by the Office of Sport.
A list of recognised SSOs and SSODs can be found on the Office of Sport website.
- The local club, association or organisation must have been affiliated with an SSO or SSOD before 23 October 2021;
- the local club, association or organisation must be an Incorporated Association 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, association or organisation is a school it must offer programs to the public; and
The local club, association or organisation will use the payment for an approved purpose
No, only organisations registered or incorporated in NSW are eligible, regardless of where the teams participate in activities.
No, the organisation must be affiliated with one of the NSW-based SSOs/SSODS recognised by the Office of Sport. However you may be eligible under the Cross Border Sport Fund.
If your referees / umpires association is an organisation that meets the eligibility requirements detailed above, it is eligible.
Should you have any questions, please contact your SSO/SSOD directly to discuss.
No. Only clubs and associations affiliated with an SSO or SSOD as at 23 October 2021 are eligible for payments under the Fund.
If the payment of your affiliation / registration fees with the SSO/SSOD was delayed beyond 23 October 2021 due to COVID-19, this will be addressed by your SSO/SSOD during the assessment process.
Each legal entity is only eligible for one payment, regardless of the number of sports or teams it supports.
It does not matter which SSO/SSOD you apply through, as long as you are affiliated with them.
Licenced clubs are eligible to receive one Grassroots Sport Fund payment providing the ‘sub-club’ meets other eligibility criteria and the payment is used to benefit the sport.
If sporting clubs/associations are incorporated or registered in their own right and have a separate ABN/Incorporation number to their licensed premises, they are eligible to apply.
If your organisation is not a separate legal entity to the SSO/SSOD, it will not be eligible.
How to apply
Each SSO / SSOD will administer the Grassroots Sport Fund for their clubs and associations, with support from the Office of Sport.
The SSO/SSOD is required to verify the eligibility of affiliated clubs and associations before making payments. The SSO/SSOD will contact clubs to confirm how this will happen.
Clubs and associations will be required to provide the following information to their SSO/SSOD:
- Organisation (club/association) Name (Legal Name)
- Organisation ABN / ACN / Incorporation Number
- Organisation Address
- Organisation Key Contact Details, including email and phone number (i.e. the person submitting the application)
- Organisation Bank Details (Account Name, BSB, Account Number)
- Confirmation that your organisation meets the eligibility criteria detailed above, and
- A declaration that the information provided is true and correct.
Clubs and associations may be required to provide an invoice to their SSO/SSOD for payment once eligibility is verified.
You can search for Incorporation Numbers via the NSW Incorporated Associations Register.
You can search for ABNs and ACNs via the Australian Business Register.
No. Each SSO/SSOD will administer the Grassroots Sport Fund for their clubs and associations, with support from the Office of Sport.
Funding amounts and use
The maximum amount each eligible club and association can receive will be up to $1,000, provided it can demonstrate the payment can be used for an approved purpose.
Costs / Items funded under the Local Sport Grant Program to your club will be ineligible under this Fund.
Grassroots Sport Fund payments to clubs and associations can be used for costs such as:
Fixed Costs
- insurances;
- power;
- telephone and internet;
- fixed vehicle or equipment costs (leases, registration); and
- other base operating costs including:
- affiliation fees;
- EFTPOS and banking fees;
- IT support arrangements
Irrecoverable costs
- the loss of perishable goods (e.g. food) that were not able to be used
- cancellation fees and charges (e.g. facility/coach/officials) that were not refunded
- booking cancellations that were not refunded
- other costs and losses incurred that could not be reasonably avoided and were not recovered
Costs for return to Sport
- marketing and communication expenses for the current or upcoming season
- essential equipment (including sport equipment and equipment required to implement COVID-19 Safety Plans)
- uniforms for the current or upcoming season
- subsidised registration fees for senior players (this does not apply to juniors who are able to access the Active Kids vouchers)
An Acquittal Form (provided by Office of Sport) which summarises the distribution of funds to clubs and associations will be required to be returned by the SSO/SSOD to the Office of Sport by 30 April 2022.
Other documents to show the funds have been distributed in accordance with the Guidelines including remittance records for funds distributed may be requested. These must be maintained on file and made available should Office of Sport exercise its right to audit the distribution of funds.