Level The Field Grants: Funding to Boost Workforce Inclusion in Sport and Active Recreation Across Regional Victoria

Applications are now open for Level the Field grants, giving eligible organisations the opportunity to create meaningful paid and volunteer roles in sport and active recreation for people with disability in regional Victoria.

Delivered by Leisure Networks in partnership with Sport & Recreation Victoria, Level the Field is part of the Victorian Government‘s $40 million All Abilities Sport Fund. Level the Field is designed to remove barriers, strengthen workforce capability, and embed long-term inclusive workforce practices, helping organisations move from good intentions to tangible outcomes that benefit people with disability and communities across regional Victoria.Organisations can apply for funding through 2 streams:

Stream 1 – The Long Game: System and Organisational Change (up to $350,000)
This stream supports organisations to lead activities that address the systems and organisational barriers to employing and retaining people with disability across sport and active recreation networks in regional Victoria.

Projects may include:
• Governance programs
• Disability Employment Plans
• Disability employee networks

Stream 2 – Levelling Up: Employment Pathways and Opportunities (up to $250,000)
This stream supports employment projects to assist organisations and people with disability to engage in volunteer roles, take on leadership roles and enter paid employment in the sport and active recreation sector in regional Victoria. Projects may include:

Projects may include:
• Traineeship program for people with disability
• Employment of people with disability into new or vacant roles
• People with disability employed to scale up successful programs
• Volunteer training programs
• Partnership programs
• Career development projects

All projects are expected to be co-designed with people with lived experience of disability, ensuring outcomes are practical, meaningful, and sustainable.

Successful applicants will also benefit from tailored support, including access to the Learning and Development Hub, delivered by Disability Sport & Recreation Victoria, and regionally based Inclusion Coaches who will work alongside organisations to embed inclusive practices and build confidence in delivery.

Applications are now open and close 26 February 2026.

Don’t miss this opportunity to lead change, create pathways, and make sport and active recreation truly inclusive across regional Victoria.

Learn more at www.levelthefield.org.au