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- Eligibility for funding
- VicHealth's focus on gender equality for sporting organisation Boards
- Submission process
- Additional information
Eligibility for funding
Who is eligible to apply?
The VicHealth Innovation Challenge: Sport will only accept submissions from eligible organisations.
- National Sporting Organisations (NSO) recognised by the Australian Sports Commission
- State Sporting Associations (SSA) recognised by Sport and Recreation Victoria
- Victorian Disability State Sporting Bodies (DSSB) recognised by Sport and Recreation Victoria
- Victorian Regional Sporting Assemblies (RSA)
- Local sporting clubs/associations affiliated to their SSA (as defined in point 1)
- Elite sporting teams
- Victorian local councils
- Organisations meeting the above requirement who have fully acquitted all requirements of any previous grants awarded under VicHealth funding (to the satisfaction of VicHealth)
Please note that VicHealth will only accept submissions from sporting organisations directly. However we will accept submissions from a sporting body working in partnership with an innovator.
You're an innovator if you like challenging the status quo and taking action. You might be a social entrepreneur, a community organisation, a private provider or a digital expert.
Are there any other eligibility requirements?
All organisations funded under this program will be required to:
- accept the terms of the VicHealth Funding Agreement
- accept the conditions in Information for all Applicants
- commit to VicHealth Funding Agreement for 18 months
- budget for a resource with the relevant experience, skills and qualifications to lead the project
- participate in the Program Communities of Practice, relevant education and training and other meetings as directed at VicHealth
- produce work plans and budgets to be determined in the Funding Agreement
- participate in the VicHealth evaluation of this program including complying with any mandatory data and reporting requirements specified in the Funding Agreement
- ensure that all personnel, agents or subcontractors who undertake child-related activities as part of the project have passed a Working With Children Check under the Working With Children Act 2005 (Vic)
- commit to achieving and/or maintaining a minimum of 40% representation on your sporting organisation’s Board by July 2019 (applies to SSAs, NSOs, RSAs and elite sporting teams only); demonstrated via a letter of support from your Board at stage 2: proposal submission on Thursday 31 May 2018
- comply with VicHealth and Program branding requirements.
What will VicHealth not fund?
VicHealth will not fund the following:
- a sporting organisation who has not acquitted all requirements of any previous grants awarded under VicHealth funding (to the satisfaction of VicHealth)
- a sporting organisation who will not commit to achieving and/or maintaining a minimum of 40% female representation on their sporting organisation’s Board by July 2019 (applies to SSAs, NSOs, RSAs and elite sporting teams only)
- a sporting organisation where the program/activity involves striking or kicking another individual with intent to injure and the head is target. We will not support a program/activity that directly feeds into a participation pathway where the intention is to deliberately injure or inflict harm on another individual
- activities delivered outside of Victoria
- programs delivered in schools during school hours, including those funded through the Australian Sports Commission’s Sporting Schools. Promotional activities in schools to engage young people may be included as part of a marketing strategy, however the actual program delivery must be outside of school hours.
What if we are not sure if our organisation is eligible to apply or not?
If you have any doubt if your organisation is eligible to apply, we encourage you to email the VicHealth team on [email protected] to discuss your eligibility. Ideally, make contact with VicHealth as early as possible and before you progress with developing your application.
VicHealth’s focus on gender equality for sporting organisation Boards
What’s VicHealth’s position on gender targets for sporting organisation boards?
To receive VicHealth funding, National Sporting Organisations, State Sporting Associations, Regional Sporting Assemblies and Elite sporting teams will be required to have a minimum of 40% self-identified female Board representation by 1 July 2019.How will VicHealth implement this policy?
The implementation of this position will applies to all new contracts (of a minimum of 18 months) for VicHealth funding with the selected sporting bodies as follows:- New contracts with sporting bodies that commence prior to 1 July 2019 will include a requirement to commit to achieving the 40% target by 1 July 2019.
- New contracts with sporting bodies that commence from 1 July 2019 will include a pre-requisite to have reached 40% target to receive funding.
How does this relate to sporting organisations about to enter new funding agreements with VicHealth under Innovation Challenge: Sport #6 prior to 1 July 2019?
Under Innovation Challenge: Sport #6, VicHealth are asking sporting organisations to demonstrate this commitment via a letter of support from their Board Chair at ‘Stage 2: Proposal Submission’ on Thursday 31 May 2018. Note: this letter from Board is not a requirement at ‘Stage 1: Video Application Submission’.
What does the support letter from your Board Chair need to include?
In the Innovation Challenge: Sport ‘Stage 2: Proposal Submission’ to the Assessment Panel, due on Thursday 31 March 2018, VicHealth has requested a letter from your organisation’s Board Chair. In this letter your Chair needs to demonstrate that the Board strongly supports the application and show that there is a commitment to achieve and/or maintain a minimum 40% female representation on your sporting organisation’s Board by July 2019.
Note, at ‘Stage 1: Video Application Submission’ you are not required to submit a letter from your Board Chair; this request is for finalists only.
Our sport operates under a unified model, at which level of governance does the minimum 40% female Board representation by July 2019 apply?
If your sport is successful in receiving funding, the organisation that signs the VicHealth Funding Agreement will need to comply with the minimum 40% female board representation by July 2019 requirement.
What if my sporting organisation is unable to achieve the 40% target by 1 July 2019?
Submission process
How do I apply?
The Challenge will open on Tuesday 3 April 2018 at www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/funding. During the "application phase" which closes at 3pm on Friday 4 May 2018, you can fill out the online application form and provide your video link.
When should I apply?
Submissions for latest Challenge round cut-off on Friday 4 May 2018 by 3pm Eastern Standard Time.
How much money should I ask for?
The most promising ideas will share in a total funding pool of up to $450,000 to test them and make a real impact.
The pool of funding is intended to be flexible so that VicHealth can tailor funding to the merit of the project and the nature of your innovation. The typical funding grant is between $60k to $120k. At the first stage of the Challenge we are not asking for a budget request. This information will be requested in later stages should your idea be shortlisted. We recommend thinking about your idea in phases and then determine the levels of investment for each phase. Alternatively, consider what your proposal would look like as a lean pilot, a dream project and somewhere in between.
I’ve got an idea, but I’m not sure it’s good enough?
Take a look at our selection criteria and see if it stacks up. Alternatively, check out our previous winning ideas. You can also contact us for some advice at [email protected]. We will review every email and respond as soon as possible. Also we’re happy to give you a call if you’d like to leave your phone number. Sometimes it’s just easier having a chat!
Will there be media involved in the project?
We hope so! We will be announcing the successful projects to the wider world and promoting your progress throughout the next 18 months. The more buzz that’s created, the bigger the impact you’ll have and the more people we inspire to change community sport for the better.
Who are the judges on the assessment panel?
Our assessment panel is made up of a combination of VicHealth experts, representatives from the sport sector and specialists who know what it takes to kick-start ideas and make a real impact.
Additional information
What is innovation?
At VicHealth “Innovation” means discovering how to accelerate health outcomes for Victorians.
Innovation generally refers to changing or creating more effective processes, products and ideas, and can increase the likelihood of an organisation succeeding.
This could mean implementing new ideas, developing unique partnerships, creating dynamic products or improving your existing services. Innovation can be a catalyst for the growth and success of your organisation, and help you adapt and grow in the marketplace.
Being innovative does not mean inventing; innovation can mean changing your business model and adapting to changes in your environment to deliver better products or services. Successful innovation should be an in-built part of your strategy and the strategic vision, where you create an environment and lead in innovative thinking and creative problem solving.
What does VicHealth mean by ‘social sport’?
Social sport opportunities are more flexible or social and less structured than traditional sport activities. These programs have greater emphasis on fun, social interaction and enjoyment, and less emphasis on performance, results and competition.
Social sports may have many elements of traditional sport but are primarily:
- for fun and friendship
- to introduce someone to a sport
- to bring people back to sport that have dropped out due to injury, time commitments or other circumstances.
Can our program have other funders?
While VicHealth anticipates it will most likely be the primary funder of a program we understand that some programs may already have another funder, commercial partner or co-investor. Where this is the case you would need to outline the existing funding partnership and demonstrate the significant additional value that VicHealth funding would bring to the program. For instance you would need to show VicHealth that our funding would make a significant impact on reaching less active Victorians.
VicHealth will not fund any organisation that receives sponsorship or has a commercial arrangement with any person or organisation involved in the marketing or manufacture of tobacco products.
In addition VicHealth is focussed on improving the health and wellbeing of all Victorians, with a particular focus through sport. This includes increasing the physical activity levels of less active Victorians and improving healthy food and drink choices of Victorians. As a result, we would have significant concerns with entering into any funding arrangement with any organisation who has sponsorship, a commercial agreement or partnership that contradicts VicHealth’s health promotion agenda or has a potential to bring VicHealth’s reputation into disrepute. VicHealth would seek substantial notice should any other funding arrangements be considered by a sport in relation to a VicHealth funded program.
Can we use the funding to primarily develop a course for coaching inactive people and/or build a network of coaches and officiators?
No. The primary focus of the funding is on getting less active Victorians participating in your sport program. You should consider what support is provided to deliverers of the program to ensure they enhance the experience of the people involved in the program, which may include the development of suitable training resources.
What Local Government Areas has VicHealth identified as having greater need?
VicHealth encourages programs that make an effort to target less active people and those with the greatest health need. In order to assist you with identifying geographical areas with the greatest need we have looked a two sets of data: our own VicHealth indicators as well as Victorian Public Health Survey (VPHS) Obesity index. The table below lists those council areas that are statistically below the Victorian average under each measure.
This information is a guide only and should be used in conjunction with any other evidence you may have about particular geographical areas and their health needs.
| Council Area | Statically below average VicHealth Indicators – activity level | Statically below average with VPHS – obesity index | Regional or Metro |
| Campaspe | - | Yes | Regional |
| Cardinia | - | Yes | Metro |
| Casey | - | Yes | Metro |
| Corangamite | - | Yes | Regional |
| Glenelg | - | Yes | Regional |
| Greater Bendigo | - | Yes | Regional |
| Greater Dandenong | Yes | - | Metro |
| Hume | Yes | Yes | Metro |
| Melton | - | Yes | Metro |
| Mitchell | - | Yes | Regional |
| Moira | - | Yes | Regional |
| Moorabool | - | Yes | Regional |
| Pyrenees | Yes | Yes | Regional |
| Swan Hill | - | Yes | Regional |
| Wyndham | - | Yes | Metro |
| Yarriambiack | - | Yes | Regional |
Why can't we deliver our programs in schools within school hours?
VicHealth recognises there are already many organisations working on getting children and young people active during school time – including the Australian Sports Commission’s Sporting Schools program, School Sport Victoria and ACHPER - in addition to physical education and sport offered through secondary schools.
We do however understand that you might need to work closely with schools to engage with children and young people as part of your marketing and communication approaches.
Can we use school facilities?
Yes. Schools often have good facilities that are underutilised and could be used for your program. However, it’s important to cater for the entire community rather than just children and young people from that school.
Can we connect with schools as part of this program?
Yes. We have indicated that we won’t fund programs delivered during school hours (during curriculum time) you can certainly connect with schools as part of your promotion and engagement around your program. You can run an ‘intro’ session or ‘taster’ session to give children and young people the opportunity to try your program. You can also use schools to pilot your program.