News and events
Media Releases
View the latest media releases from the Minister for Sport and Recreation Victoria.
Nominations are now open for the Council on the Ageing (COTA) 2009 Active At All Ages Awards
The Active At All Ages Awards, developed by COTA with support from the Victorian Government's 'Go for your life' initiative, recognise and promote the significant achievements and contributions of participant and volunteer 'role models' who are currently involved in sport and active recreation. The awards also recognise the clubs, groups and organisations that demonstrate 'best practice' in making this possible.
If you know a club or senior (over 50 years of age) whose achievements and contributions to local sport and recreation are truly inspirational, this is a chance to make sure they are recognised.
Last year's winners included 80-year-old Thomas Currie from the Malvern Marlins Swim Club. He's been actively involved in swimming for 70 years as a participant and coach, as well as a volunteer in the community.
2008 club recipient ‘The Peregrines’, based in Inverloch, has two members in their eighties. Activities are organised for members, by members, and based around walking, cycling and kayaking – they can range from short walks to multi-day camps. The club is also active in community fundraising.
Inspirational Victorians and clubs like these dispel the myth that because you are older, you can't have a strong, healthy body, and be active well into your senior years. Here's your chance to help COTA honour them, and in the process inspire more people and more opportunities for physical activity.
To submit a nomination or for further information, go to the COTA website or contact Stephanie Harper at COTA on (03) 9655 2105 or activemanager@cotavic.org.au.
Nominations close Tuesday 15 December 2009.
Centre for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion
Victoria’s leading sports-injury and sports-medicine researchers have been awarded Australia’s only International Olympic Committee (IOC)-supported sports-injury and disease-prevention research centre.
The Centre for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, located at the University of Ballarat, is to be one of only four such IOC-supported research centres in the world.
The chief investigators are Professor Caroline Finch (University of Ballarat), Associate Professor Peter Brukner (University of Melbourne), Associate Professor Paul McCrory (University of Melbourne), Associate Professor Jill Cook (Deakin University), and Associate Professor Andrew McIntosh (University of New South Wales).
The Ballarat-based centre will examine the latest sports-injury prevention advances for elite athletes and apply this knowledge for the safety of other people who play sport.
The Victorian Government provides significant support for sports-injury research and for practical education and health promotion–based initiatives. Projects such as the
State Budget Boost For Community Sport
Grassroots sport received a generous boost as part of the 2009 State Budget. An $8.6 million package will deliver the following support for local sport:
- $5.7 million for new and upgraded local soccer club facilities and pitches through the new Strengthening the World Game program;
- $1.2 million injection into the Country Football and Netball Program for upgrades of rural and regional football and netball facilities across the state; and
- $1.7 million to help local sporting clubs buy new uniforms and footwear under the Sporting Uniforms Grant program.
Further details about each of these funding programs will be posted shortly.
Strengthening the World Game Program Grants Now Open
Applications for the Strengthening the World Game Program (STWGP) are now open.
The STWGP provides funding to assist local football (soccer) clubs and organisations to upgrade existing or to develop new facilities through councils across Victoria. This investment in improved local club facilities will help meet the growing demand for additional participation in soccer.
Discretionary watering of sports grounds banned under Stages 3 and 4 water restrictions
Stages 3, 3a and 4 water restrictions do not permit the discretionary watering of sports grounds. However, some sport surfaces are exempt under Stage 3 and 3a restrictions and some grounds may be watered in accordance with approved Water Conservation Plans.
National Ice Sports Centre For Melbourne
Melbourne is set to be home of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, following the recent announcement that construction of the $58 million National Ice Sports Centre will commence at Docklands in the new year through a partnership between the State Government and the private sector through ING Real Estate Development Australia.
Working with Children Check
The Working with Children Check was introduced in 2006 by the Victorian Government to help protect children under 18 years of age from physical or sexual harm by preventing those who pose a risk to their safety from working with them. The Working with Children Check is managed by the Department of Justice and will be phased in over two years for the sport sector.
For more information on the Working with Children Check visit Keeping junior sport safe.
Football and Netball Lighting Guide
The Football and Netball Lighting Guide aims to answer the key questions local sporting clubs, organisations and councils may face when installing new lighting projects. It offers recommendations for planning, design, maintenance and operation of a variety of lighting systems. Read the Guide (PDF 443 kb) or (Word 134 kb).
Netball Court Planning Guide
The Netball Court Planning Guide has been developed in partnership with Netball Victoria. The Guide has been developed to assist communities in using their resources effectively to ensure the successful development or upgrade of netball courts in the future. The guide offers recommendations for planning, design and maintenance of netball courts along with providing examples of different surface types. Five case studies are featured to emphasise a range of local issues, budgets and specific technical factors that need to be taken into account when councils, clubs and associations tackle their own projects. Read the Guide (PDF 414 kb) or (Word 154 kb).
New Vision to Redevelop Melbourne's Home of Grand Slam
On Monday 26 January, Premier John Brumby announced $5 million to progress a proposal to redevelop Melbourne Park, helping to secure the Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific on Victoria’s world-class calendar of major sporting events beyond 2016 and advancing Melbourne’s reputation as the home of Australian tennis. For more information read the Melbourne Park redevelopment media release.
Yachting Victoria’s Go Sailing and Boating Project
Savings from the Melbourne Stopover of the 2005/06 Volvo Ocean Race was reinvested by Sport and Recreation Victoria into the Go Sailing and Boating project. This enabled Yachting Victoria to provide water race management, volunteer training and sport development for local sailing clubs throughout Victoria.
The Volunteer Training for Future Participation and Events report (PDF 433 kb) or (Word 83 kb) describes participation in the project, the impact on the local sailing communities and lessons learned from the Go Sailing and Boating project.
Unsung Heroes of Grassroots Sport Recognised at the 2008 Sport and Recreation Awards
Max Kelleher of Abbotsford and Barbara Morgan of Point Cook shared the top honour when they were presented with the Minister’s Award for Lifetime Achievement, along with 10 other winners in various categories, at a special event held in the MCG Members’ Dining Room on Monday 6 October.
“Sport and recreation in Victoria is strong because of the hard work and dedication of the unsung heroes behind the scenes, who give up their time to do the many jobs to support the wide range of sport played around the state every weekend,” Mr Merlino said.
To find out more read the Winners and Finalists (PDF 2013 kb) or (Word 99 kb).
Minister Urges Sport Spectators to Stamp Out Negative Behaviour
James Merlino, Minister of Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs, has officially launched the 2008 "Encourage the Kids, Support the Game" campaign. The public awareness campaign is designed to reduce episodes of ugly spectator behaviour that can impact on enjoyment and participation in junior sport. For more information see the Spectator Behaviour Media Release (Word 59.5kb).Victoria to host Champions Hockey Event
The Minister for Sport and Recreation, James Merlino, announced that Melbourne would host yet another world-class sporting event, with the Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy to be held at the State Netball Hockey Centre in December 2009. Mr Merlino said the International Hockey Federation (FIH) awarded Melbourne the right to host its most prestigious annual event, the 31st Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy, further enhancing Melbourne’s reputation as the sporting capital of the world. For more information please see theRelax, sport should be fun!
A new TV ad campaign turning the tables on inappropriate behaviour by parents in sport was launched by the Minister for Sport and Recreation. The TV ads will run across Victoria from 7 October, view the Golf Ad (WMV 1561 kb). Read more information onWorld Championships Deliver Economic Boost and Lasting Legacy
The final report on the 12th FINA World Championships, has shown that the Victorian economy received a $105 million boost from hosting the event, exceeding original expectations. Additionally, the Victorian Government’s contribution to stage the event hailed as the “biggest and best championships of all time” was $2.9 million lower than its projected budget announced in February 2007. Read the 12th FINA World Championship Summary Report (PDF 1.5 mb).
Community Sport and Recreation Achievers Honoured
A 50-year contribution to the sport of baseball has seen Paul Collins of Keilor Park awarded the top honour at the 2007 Sport and Recreation Awards. Mr Collins was presented with the Minister's Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Minister for Sport and Recreation, James Merlino. Read the 2007 Sport and Recreation Awards booklet (PDF 448 kb).
Determination for cricket and Football seasons
Where there is joint tenancy between football and cricket clubs, the Government has facilitated an agreement between Cricket Victoria and AFL Victoria to define the seasonal arrangements. The agreement - called the ‘Determination’ - sets out the respective lengths of the cricket and football seasons and the access arrangements for each sport for ground preparation and practice. For a copy of the document please refer to the Minister's Determination of Seasons (PDF 1355 kb)
Discretionary watering of sports grounds banned under Stages 3 and 4 water restrictions
Stages 3, 3a and 4
However, some exempt playing surfaces (PDF 59 kb) may be watered under Stages 3 and 3a restrictions in accordance with the Drought Response Plan prepared by the water authorities. Exempt surfaces include turf cricket wickets, en-tout-cas tennis courts, bowling or croquet greens, hockey pitches, and golfing tees or greens. Copies of this plan are available from your water authority’s website.
Councils with a Water Conservation Plan (PDF 103 kb) approved by their water authority may seek permission to water sports grounds or vary their watering of exempt surfaces. Generally, one in four sportsgrounds may be watered provided that the water used on the ground is reduced by 25%.
Stage 4 water restrictions ban all watering of sports grounds and surfaces.
Details of water storage levels and restrictions in force throughout Victoria are available from the Department for Sustainability and Environment or through your
local water authority. Sustainable Water Practices for Sport and Recreation provides examples of using available water more efficiently and options for alternative water.
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