Grants up to $20,000 (per individual project) to support grassroots sporting clubs to increase participation, host events, improve access and enhance sport and recreation facilities.
On this page you will find
What is the Local Sport Grant Program?
The Local Sport Grant Program (LSGP) 2025, administered by the NSW Office of Sport, provides funding of between $2,000 and $20,000 to local, not-for-profit sport clubs and associations across New South Wales. The Program is designed to increase ongoing participation in sport, improve club capabilities, and make sport more accessible for underrepresented groups such as women and girls, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, First Nations peoples, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities.
With $4.65 million in total funding and up to $50,000 allocated per NSW electorate, this grant is a fantastic opportunity for grassroots organisations to enhance local sporting activities, infrastructure, and community engagement.
Local Sport Grant Program level of support
- Minimum amount: $2,000
- Maximum amount: $20,000
- Maximum per organisation: $20,000 across all applications
- Electorate allocation cap: Up to $50,000
Co-contribution:
While a financial co-contribution is not mandatory, applications that include a co-contribution—either from the applicant or a supporting organisation such as a local council—may be viewed more favourably during assessment. Note that NSW Government grant funding cannot be used as a co-contribution.
Local Sport Grant Program important dates
- Applications close: 18 August 2025 at 1:00 pm AEST
- Outcomes advised: From February 2026
- Projects must be completed by: September 2027
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Local Sport Grant Program objectives
The Program aligns with the Office of Sport’s strategic plan, Everyone Plays Here, and seeks to:
- Increase regular and ongoing participation in sport
- Improve inclusion for underrepresented groups (women and girls, CALD communities, First Nations peoples, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people)
- Reduce barriers to access and participation
- Enhance the quality of club-based sporting experiences
- Boost financial sustainability and improve club facilities
Projects and expenditure eligible for Local Sport Grant Program support
Eligible projects include but are not limited to:
- Projects that contribute to quality sporting experiences
- Improve access to sporting events by reducing barriers to participation
- Create, upgrade or repair sports facilities
Examples of eligible projects include:
1. Quality Sporting Experiences
- Volunteer training and accreditation (e.g. coaching or officiating courses)
- “Come-and-try” days or skill-building workshops
- Club capability upgrades such as websites or strategic planning
- Promotional campaigns to boost membership
- Purchase of training or match-day equipment (e.g. balls, uniforms, tech tools)
2. Events That Reduce Participation Barriers
- One-off community sports events or tournaments
- Exhibition matches or gala days
- Travel support for teams or coaches from regional/remote areas (for travel >100 km)
- Event registration subsidies for state/regional events within NSW
3. Facility Upgrades and Equipment
- Enhancing changerooms to meet universal design standards
- Installing sunshades, watering systems, lighting, or electronic scoreboards
- Purchasing non-fixed equipment essential to sport delivery (e.g. line markers)
Note: Projects involving fixed infrastructure must have Development Approval (or documented exemption) and landowner consent.
Ineligible Expenditure
Projects or project components ineligible to receive funding include:
- Ongoing and annual operational costs e.g., staff/coach wages and administration costs that relate to the running of the club/organisation including yearly subscriptions/memberships and venue hire.
- Subsidised registrations for players, for regular and on-going (weekly, monthly) competitions.
- Accommodation, food/catering and travel (except where specified as eligible above).
- Appearance fees, prize money and trophies/medals, trophy cabinets.
- Functions such as presentation days, AGMs and celebrations.
- Entertainment.
- Medical equipment (e.g., defibrillators, first aid).
- Private or commercial ventures.
- Events that are organised for the primary purpose of fundraising, including charity fundraising events.
- Individual scholarships/sponsorships.
- Insurance of any type (player, public liability, general liability, etc).
- Retrospective funding e.g., projects that have already commenced and/or purchases completed prior to application submission.
- Events that are scheduled prior to March 2026.
- Purchase or rental of land or premises; vehicles; office equipment (e.g., office furniture, television, computers, iPads, printers, photocopiers etc.).
- Costs associated with preparing and submitting the funding application.
- Costs associated with feasibility, design, or development stages including feasibility studies, business cases and masterplans.
- Projects not based in NSW.
- Subsidy for school sporting activities and events.
- Projects already funded by the NSW Government for the same project or same component of a project.
Other Local Sport Grant Program important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Local Sport Grant Program support
Eligible applicants are:
- Incorporated, not-for-profit grassroots sport club or association whose primary focus is to:
- organise sporting activities and;
- deliver on-going sporting programs and/or;
- develop member’s skills
- Aligned with a recognised sport listed in Appendix A of the guidelines
Sporting clubs associated with licensed organisations can apply provided the project directly benefits the sport, not the administration processes of the licenced club or upgrades of the licensed premises.
Sports organisations or clubs associated with a school, church or university can apply providing they are a not-for-profit club incorporated in their own right.
Eligible applicants with an ABN must ensure that the incorporation details and ABN details are for the same organisation.
Ineligible applicants are any organisation types not listed in the ‘Eligible Applicants’ section, and include (but are not limited to):
- Individuals, groups of individuals and unincorporated organisations.
- Incorporated not-for-profit organisations that are not associated with a sport listed at Appendix A.
- Clubs whose activities are considered to be of a recreational nature e.g., e-sports/online, remote/radio-controlled activities, fishing.
- State Sporting Organisations.
- National Sporting Organisations.
- Regional Academies of Sport.
- For profit, commercial organisations.
- Organisations limited by shares.
- Government departments and agencies.
- Educational institutions including schools and their Parents and Citizens (P&C’s), Universities, TAFE, Colleges and childcare centres.
- Local Government Authorities operating under the Local Government Act, 1993.
- Local Government Committees.
- PCYCs/YMCA/Scouts/Girl Guides/Surf Life Saving Clubs or Branches.
- Organisations named: (i) by the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse on its list of institutions that have not joined or signified their intent not to join the Scheme; or (ii) in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that has not yet joined the National Redress Scheme.
See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.
Local Sport Grant Program assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed by the Local MP (or delegate) for the project’s electorate, based on the following:
1. Strategic Justification – 30%
- How well the project aligns with the program’s key objectives
- Potential to sustain participation beyond the grant period
2. Scope and Deliverables – 25%
- Clarity of project description, deliverables, and outputs
- Evidence of a genuine need within the community
3. Value for Money – 25%
- Clear, itemised budget with recent quotes
- Evidence of co-contributions (if any)
4. Deliverability and Capability – 20%
- Realistic project plan and timeline
- Previous experience in delivering similar-sized projects
- Required approvals (DA, landowner consent) provided
How do I get the Local Sport Grant Program?
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.
Applications must clearly demonstrate an identified need for the project and articulate how the project outcomes will be achieved. Specifically, applications should demonstrate how the project will address at least one of the above objectives.
Information to prepare for the Local Sport Grant Program application
To maximise your score and avoid disqualification, prepare the following:
- Itemised budget with verified quotes (within last 3–6 months)
- Co-contribution confirmation (if applicable)
- DA approval/exemption evidence
- Landowner consent (template available online)
- Letters of support from stakeholders
- Public liability insurance (minimum $5 million)
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the Local Sport Grant Program
All applications must be submitted via SmartyGrants portal.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Local Sport Grant Program resources
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