Grants
Monday, June 7, 2021
Founded by Paralympian, Katie Kelly OAM, SAF provides sporting grants to improve access for young Australians, aged 7 -17 years, who have a disability.
“It’s fantastic to know that two of our earlier grant recipients are now set to take the world stage at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, where I am also hoping to be and competing in Paratriathlon (Vision Impaired),” Katie said.
“These young athletes have overcome the challenges of the Covid19 pandemic and they’ve worked hard to ensure their training has not been compromised as strive for their goals.”
“I am excited to announce today, that Sport Access Foundation is delighted to be providing a new round of grant funding for 2021, thanks to the support of our sponsors and partners.”
The grants cover costs relating to new and upgraded equipment, to compete in an international competition in their sport, to access additional coaching support and to assist with travel costs (particularly where additional cost to travel with equipment or a carer/guide is required). The applicant will need to provide a written endorsement from their State or National federation.
"We are very excited to be supporting aspiring and future Paralympians through the first Compeat Nutrition Pathway to Paralympics Grant.” - Alicia Edge, Co Founder / Co CEO.
“Funds for the Grant originate from CompEatCon held in April last year, a global online summit that brought sports practitioners and athletes together in a time where many were struggling for purpose. As one of the first fully online conferences in the height of COVID-19 lockdowns, we were thrilled by both the response and generosity from all involved in the event. Thousands of dollars were raised within a 'pay what you can' ticket structure to help us fund much-needed support for athlete wellbeing.
“Not only will these two Grants provide funding for the development and training of the recipients, they will also gain full access to our CompEat Nutrition Platform - integrating nutrition support at the centre of their well-being and performance.”
The grant must be used and demonstrates specific programs to include children with a disability, and/or have children with a disability as members of their clubs.
The funding can be used for new and upgraded equipment such as marquees, lights, accessible club room and restrooms, accessible technology for club digital, cost to implement programs specifically for children with a disability and / or education of club officials/coaches/volunteers on working with children with a disability.
*Data shows that only 23.3 per cent of Indigenous women play sport so it’s important to ensure that young girls stay in the game and continue to participate. The Sport for all committee report, noted comments by Professor Colin Tatz who ‘emphasised his concern with the disparity of funds being spent on Indigenous men and women in sport. He commented: … let me say to you that, for every $100 that is spent on Aboriginal male sport, you are lucky if $1 is spent on women's sport.
“With the investment in sport for young indigenous girls and teenagers being some of the lowest rates across all Australians, I was eager for our young First Nations girls and teenagers to have new opportunities - starting with the region of my hometown of Casino, part of Bundjalung Country." - Katie Kelly OAM, SAF Founder
“We look forward to seeing improved participation of our First Nations youth in sport through this grant. We believe sport provides a wonderful means to forge closer ties and bonds with our First Nations people and are working with local and regional sporting clubs to facilitate this grant to nurture and improve participation at a local level.” - Neale Genge, Casino RSM Secretary Manager
The funds can be used to help pay for Club registration fees, carer cost, extra coaching, team uniforms or travel to participate in the sport.
Get Involved
Your donation will go towards providing financial assistance and support to enable children with a disability to participate in sporting activities. Every dollar goes direct to the grant recipients to help with the cost of their sport, including modified equipment, carer costs, transport and fees.
