Up to $450,000 to support evidence-informed initiatives that challenge gendered drivers of violence, shift attitudes and behaviours, and foster safer, inclusive sporting cultures across NSW.
On this page you will find
What is the Game on for Change – Preventing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence through Sport (GOFC)?
The Game on for Change – Preventing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence through Sport Program is a NSW Government initiative designed to drive primary prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence through the powerful platform of organised sport. The program funds evidence-informed activities that challenge the gendered drivers of violence, shift attitudes and behaviours, and build safer, more respectful, more inclusive sporting cultures across New South Wales.
Projects must be delivered in a sporting context and focus on skill-building, knowledge-building, attitude change or behaviour change—not crisis response or service delivery. They may target players, coaches, officials, administrators, volunteers, parents, spectators, club leaders or the broader community.
Game on for Change – Preventing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence through Sport level of support
Grants:
A total of $3.135 million is available across three tiers:
‘Local Impact’ (Small) Tier
- Minimum: $15,000
- Maximum: $75,000
- Total pool: $500,000
- Supports smaller projects working with a single organisation or club.
‘Expanding Reach’ (Medium) Tier
- Minimum: $75,001
- Maximum: $300,000
- Supports projects involving multiple groups or multiple locations.
“Whole-Of” Action’ (Large) Tier
- Minimum: $300,001
- Maximum: $450,000
- Supports whole-of-code or whole-of-LGA projects.
Maximum to any single organisation (across all applications): $450,000.
Co-contribution:
- No financial co-contribution is required.
- Project budgets must only include items seeking grant funding.
- In-kind contributions cannot be counted as financial contribution.
Game on for Change – Preventing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence through Sport important dates
- Closes (Small tier): 1pm (AEDT), 18 February 2026
- Closes (Medium and Large tiers): 1pm (AEDT), 4 March 2026
- Outcomes advised: From April 2026
- Project start: Within two months of outcome notification
- Project completion:
- Small: December 2027.
- Medium & Large:April 2028
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Game on for Change – Preventing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence through Sport objectives
The program aims to:
- Reduce domestic, family and sexual violence in NSW by addressing its gendered drivers.
- Embed primary prevention approaches within sporting environments.
- Improve the capability of sporting organisations to deliver, model and sustain respectful, inclusive and equitable cultures.
- Strengthen partnerships between sport and prevention experts to create long-term, systemic change.
- Equip communities and sporting groups with the skills to recognise, challenge and prevent harmful norms and behaviours.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Game on for Change – Preventing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence through Sport support
All eligible projects must:
- Be delivered in a sporting context (clubs, associations, leagues, pathways, schools only when linked to sport partnerships).
- Focus on primary prevention—building knowledge, shifting attitudes, changing behaviours.
- Target one or more sporting groups: players, coaches, officials, administrators, volunteers, parents, spectators, staff or community partners.
Examples of Eligible Activities
- Respectful relationships programs tailored for athletes, coaches or volunteers.
- Workshops addressing harmful gender stereotypes and promoting non-violent behaviours.
- Multi-session programs involving elite athletes modelling respect and equality.
- Emotional regulation, conflict management and empathy-building activities.
- Coach education on primary prevention and wellbeing-centred leadership.
- Governance training embedding gender equality into decision-making structures.
- Parent education on respectful communication and role modelling.
- Policy, governance or code-of-conduct audits and reforms.
- Peer leadership or young-athlete ambassador programs.
- Board/management level training on the role of sport in primary prevention.
Ineligible Projects and Expenditures
As specified in the guidelines, the program will not fund:
- Activities without a primary prevention focus.
- Activities outside a sporting environment.
- Projects already started or completed.
- Projects funded elsewhere unless additional and new.
- Projects not completed within required timeframes.
- Infrastructure works or capital equipment.
- Staff and admin costs unrelated to delivery.
- Catering, alcohol, entertainment or hospitality (unless directly linked to delivery).
- Appearance fees, prizes, trophies, fundraising.
- Insurance costs, land purchase, rent or organisational overheads.
- General running costs of clubs.
Other Game on for Change – Preventing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence through Sport important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Game on for Change – Preventing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence through Sport support
Eligible organisations include:
- Incorporated community-based / not-for-profit organisations
- NSW professional sporting organisations
- Local councils and Joint Organisations
- Lord Howe Island Board & Unincorporated Far West groups
- Private enterprises (within legislative definitions)
- Aboriginal Corporations (CATSI Act)
- Local Aboriginal Land Councils
- Australian universities with NSW presence
Ineligible Applicants:
- Individuals
- P&C associations
- State/federal government agencies
- Schools, TAFEs, Institutes of Sport
- For-profit organisations not meeting eligibility
- Organisations not participating in the National Redress Scheme when required
See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.
Game on for Change – Preventing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence through Sport assessment criteria
All applications are assessed competitively against four weighted criteria.
1. Strategic Justification (30%)
Assessors look for:
- Clear alignment with the program’s purpose, objectives and primary prevention framework.
- Demonstrated understanding of the gendered drivers of violence, supported by evidence.
- A convincing explanation of why the project is needed within the sporting environment.
- A clear connection between activities and intended prevention outcomes.
- The potential depth and longevity of impact—how prevention can be embedded beyond the funding period.
2. Project Scope and Design (30%)
Assessors consider:
- Clarity and logic of the project model, methodology and delivery plan.
- How the project addresses real needs identified through consultation.
- A strong theory of change linking activities to prevention outcomes.
- Meaningful consideration of intersectionality and inclusion.
- For Medium & Large tiers:
-
- Strength and relevance of partnerships
- Demonstrated prevention expertise
- Well-defined roles, responsibilities and shared governance
- Capacity-building between partners
3. Project Affordability and Value for Money (20%)
Assessors review:
- A realistic, detailed, itemised budget with only eligible costs.
- Recent quotes (3–6 months) supporting cost estimates.
- Cost-effectiveness relative to scale, reach and quality of impact.
- Efficient use of partnerships to increase value without inflating costs.
4. Deliverability and Applicant Capability (20%)
Assessors examine:
- A feasible project plan with milestones and appropriate timeframes.
- A clear process for risk identification and mitigation.
- Track record of similar program delivery (or strong access to required expertise).
- Organisational capacity, governance and staffing to deliver safely and effectively.
How do I get the Game on for Change – Preventing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence through Sport?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Deliver the project/s as outlined in the application.
- Provide complete information requirements.
Applicants should demonstrate the following to be competitive:
- A strong understanding of primary prevention and how sport can influence behaviour change.
- Evidence of genuine community consultation or co-design with target groups.
- A clearly structured project with measurable outcomes.
- Prevention expertise within the organisation or via formal partners.
- Well-defined roles and responsibilities across all delivery partners.
- A realistic, evidence-backed budget with all major costs justified.
- Strong alignment with NSW’s Pathways to Prevention strategy.
- A delivery plan that shows the project can be completed within the required timeframe.
- An ongoing commitment to sustaining prevention impact beyond the grant.
Information to prepare for the Game on for Change – Preventing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence through Sport application
Before applying in SmartyGrants, applicants should prepare:
- Organisation and legal details (ABN, incorporation, constitution)
- Evidence of eligibility
- Community consultation evidence
- Letters of support
- Partnership Agreement (Medium & Large tiers mandatory)
- A detailed project plan and timeline
- A fully itemised budget with supporting quotes
- Evidence of any co-contribution (if relevant)
- Public Liability Insurance certificate (or proof it will be provided)
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the Game on for Change – Preventing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence through Sport
Applications must be submitted online through SmartyGrants via the Office of Sport program webpage.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Game on for Change – Preventing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence through Sport resources
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