Grants from $1 m and up to $5 m for construction or enhancement of sport facilities to increase participation and scheduling for women and girls.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
What is the Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund Program?
The Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund Program is aimed at increasing participation in sport
The Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund will see $100 million in funding available per annum over two years, to support new and upgraded multi-sport and multi-use sporting facilities
This investment in community sport infrastructure will have a primary focus on sporting facilities that are shared by sports
The investment will also support the equitable provision of, and access to multi-sport facilities that address barriers and grow participation for women and girls in line with the NSW Government’s women in sport strategy Her Sport Her Way
Facilities will need to be planned, designed and built to be inclusive of all members of our community
What is the level of support of the Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund Program?
Grants from $1 million to a maximum of $5 million
An applicant must co-contribute a minimum 50% of the grant amount requested (e.g., if the grant amount requested is $1 million, then at least a $500,000 co-contribution is necessary)
What are the Important dates and milestones for Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund Program?
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest here with GrantHelper
What are the objectives of the Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund Program?
The objectives of this NSW Government Grant program are:
- Increasing the number and type of multi-sport facilities across NSW
- Improving the standard of existing multi-sport facilities
- Increasing the utilisation of sport facilities
- Support the provision of, and access to multi-sport facilities to grow sport participation for women and girls
- Provide inclusive and accessible multi-sport facilities that enable sport participation for people with disability, First Nations peoples and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- Establish a diversified funding model
- Improving operational sustainability
- Promoting and incorporating environmental sustainability and climate resiliency into design, construction and operation
The NSW Government is seeking to support local communities to future-proof infrastructure by funding universally designed and inclusive facilities that move beyond compliance and provide dignified inclusion for all
How to get the Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund Program?
Your project must be the development of well-designed new and improved multi-sport infrastructure that will meet the current and future needs of the community
Your project must include a focus on the highest standard of design that incorporates Inclusive and Universal Design Principles, where applicable along with providing safe, dignified and equitable access through functional space.
Designs should be beyond Building Code of Australia or Access standards to ensure facilities are accessible to more people. Refer Design for Dignity Guidelines
If you would like to win this funding for your sporting organisation, you must be able to commence the project by July 2023 and complete by December 2025
You need to convince the assessment committee that you have appropriate resources, financial and project management experience and expertise to successfully delivery the project in its entirety within the proposed project implementation timeline
Your chances of success are increased if:
- your project will lead to increased sports participation of women and girls, people with disability, First Nations peoples and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- your masterplan, including costings and DA are complete (i.e. you are shovel ready)
Most importantly, and before you start an application, you need to ensure your business is eligible for the funding. Organisations that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined below will not be considered
Check out How to write a successful grant application to learn more about how to win government grants for your small business. Our in-depth eBook is the single most valuable resource you will find that helps small business owners to truly understand how to win government grants. Follow the link to get your copy of the Guide to Winning Grants
Check out the recipients of round one here
Is my business eligible for Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund Program?
Eligible applicants must be:
- Local government authorities in New South Wales
- Regional Joint Organisations of councils, the Lord Howe Island Board and the Unincorporated Far West groups
- NSW Office of Sport recognised NSW State Sporting Organisations (including National Sporting Organisations where the state body is part of a unitary governance model)
- Incorporated, community-based, not-for-profit sporting organisations (clubs and associations whose primary purpose is to organise sporting activities/deliver sport programs)
- Organisations providing sport and recreation programs that benefit the community, such as PCYCs, YMCA and YWCA
- NSW based professional sporting organisations competing in a national or state competition
- NSW Department of Education operated specialist sports high schools
- Private enterprises (companies established under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), incorporated associations established under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW) or incorporated limited partnerships established under the Partnership Act 1892 (NSW)).
Applications involving partnerships between groups are encouraged and will be considered favourably, for example with a council or a Department of Education specialist sport high school. A council may apply on behalf of a sporting club or association; however the council will be the grant recipient and responsible for project delivery.
The following organisations are ineligible:
Ineligible applicants are any organisation types not listed in the ‘Eligible Applicants’ section, and include (but are not limited to):
- Individuals
- Schools (other than NSW Department of Education operated specialist sports high schools), TAFEs, and Universities
- Parents and Citizens (P&C’s) Associations
- Progress Associations
- Other community based or religious groups that do not have a primary purpose of sport and/or recreation
- NSW Government agencies
Organisations named 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 are not eligible for funding under this program.
What activities are eligible for funding from the Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund Program?
Applications should be limited to constructing new or enhancing existing multi-sport facilities that demonstrate inclusive and accessible design, maximise community participation and demonstrate provision of accessible program content and scheduling for women and girls. Projects must be on be on land within NSW.
Examples of activities eligible for support include:
- Construction of new or upgraded multi-sport unisex and universally designed change rooms to be inclusive and female-friendly, including parent and child change spaces and officials’ areas (this includes prefabricated modular facilities)
- Indoor sport complexes which cater to more than one sport
- Aquatic and leisure centres
- Amenity buildings such as kiosks, club rooms, change rooms and grandstands that are universally designed and enhance community connectivity and multi-purpose use
- New and significant multi-sport upgrades to playing surfaces (fields and courts), specifically multi-sport upgrades and resurfacing that supports increased use and/or improves safety
- New and upgraded provision of disability access and universally designed amenities that are beyond compliant and provide dignified inclusion in sport participation
- Provision of administration facilities for a sporting organisation that is attached to a new or existing sport facility that supports multiple sports
- Environmentally and operationally sustainable initiatives that support water and energy savings including water harvesting, new or upgraded irrigation infrastructure, more efficient lighting including technology-controlled and LED lighting and installation of solar panels and smart metering technology
- New and upgraded all weather facilities including synthetics, shelter for outdoor activities, and irrigation projects
- Digital technology uplift projects, including installation of WIFI, increased automation and other innovative smart technologies
- Projects that improve the storage, security and safety capability of facilities
- Construction of new or significantly improved walking, running, fixed outdoor exercise equipment, or off-road cycling trails that are an integral component of the sport facility development.
How do you apply for the Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund Program?
Before applying, read these guidelines and related materials including the 2022/2023 eligibility checklist to make sure you understand all relevant requirements, including whether you are eligible to apply.
You can find the relevant information on the Office of Sport’s website: sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/multi-sport-community-facility-fund.
Projects must be submitted through the SmartyGrants website to be considered eligible.
You can submit up to three (3) applications in total for round two of the Fund.
What information do I need to prepare for the Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund Program registration?
The following information must be prepared and submitted in your applications:
- responses to online questions
- budget
- cost evidence (i.e., quotations)
- facility usage schedule
- implementation plan
- letters of support
- proof of landownership
- development authority (or letter from council)
- evidence of ability to contribute
- a business case where total project cost is $5 million or more
- facility maintenance procedures
- signed lease
- project governance plan (where applicable)
- risk management plan
- evidence of project need
What is the assessment criteria and process for the Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund Program registration?
Applications will be assessed against the following Assessment Criteria:
| Ref | Criteria | Weighting |
| 1 | Strategic justification | 30% |
| 2 | Project scope and inclusive design | 20% |
| 3 | Project affordability | 20% |
| 4 | Project deliverability and applicant capability | 30% |
Refer to page 12 of the guidelines for full details of each assessment criteria question.
Need help applying for a Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund Grant?
Is your business eligible for this government grant? Or perhaps you’re not sure and want to know more?
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