Can our program engage young people aged outside the 12 -17 year old age group? 

The focus of this VicHealth investment is on getting less active young people aged 12 -17 more active. VicHealth wants you to concentrate your efforts on engaging and communicating with less active 12 -17 year olds and providing a great sport participation experience for them. In reality, we understand that your program may also appeal to other age groups, such as younger children or young adults, but they should not be your primary focus for this funding. In terms of the VicHealth evaluation of the program, we will be measuring engagement of less active 12 -17 year old participants.

What do we mean by repurposing or modifying a program?

Repurposing or modifying a program involves making changes to an existing sporting program or product to best suit the needs and abilities of less active 12 -17 year olds. This may include changes to marketing materials, rules, type of equipment, playing area, location, time, duration of program, level of competition, team composition, scoring to suit skill level/ability and/or adding more social elements.

How much modifying of any existing program would be considered acceptable?

If your initial program is not currently designed for less active young people aged 12 – 17 years it will require some modification to ensure that it is closely tailored to their needs and motivations. VicHealth need to see that the fundamental elements of your existing successful program remain, so that there is not an entire rebuild of your program, as this will be considered a new unproven program or product.

If a sporting organisation is funded by VicHealth under another program (e.g. State Sport Program or Innovation Challenge: Sport) is there an opportunity to seek funding to modify or adapt this program for 12 -17 year olds?

Yes, however your sport would need to clearly demonstrate your program or product strongly aligns with the selection criteria as outlined in the program guidelines. You must specifically demonstrate how your product will engage the less active 12 -17 year old age group.

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. 

What does the support letter from your board Chair need to include?

In the Growing Participation in Sport application form (PART D, question3), 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.

What if we are not sure if our organisation are 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.

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 young people aged 12 -17.

 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.

Does VicHealth have any examples of what we consider a good product that is a perfect fit for this age group?

No. VicHealth does not have an example to share of what is a good product or a product we would fund.  The best practice design and delivery principles outlined in the research  are key to creating programs and products that resonate with less active young people aged 12 -17. Every sport is different - so your sport will need to consider what established products/programs are currently offered and what program has the best alignment and/or can be adapted to effectively engage this group.

We have an international or national product/program that we think might be a good fit. Can we apply for funding to bring this product to Victoria for less active people aged 12 -17?

Yes. However, VicHealth expects that if your sport applies for funding for an international or national product, that you will have the appropriate permissions and agreements in place with the owner of the program/product at least in principle at this point. Supplying a letter of support demonstrating this in principle agreement from the product owner would be important.

Consider if any of the branding requirements, product name or other restrictions (e.g. ability to change or tailor the product for young people) that may limit your ability to effectively roll out the product under VicHealth funding.

If the current name, brand or some program elements are not likely to resonate with young people (e.g. current program branding is targeted at mums) and you are limited by the owner in your ability to modify elements of the program to meet the needs of less active young people, then consider carefully whether you should move forward with your application using this program.

Can we use the funding to primarily develop a course for coaching inactive people and/or build a network of youth coaches and officiators?

No. The primary focus of the funding is on getting less active young people 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 young people involved in the program, which may include the development of suitable training resources.

Will VicHealth consider funding the expansion of an existing program already targeted at less active young people aged 12 -17?

Yes, however your sport would need to demonstrate how VicHealth investment would significantly accelerate the number of less active young people participating in your program across Victoria including a focus on reaching less active young people experiencing disadvantage.

What does VicHealth mean by scaling?

Scaling may take on a number of forms but in real terms we want your program to significantly increase the number of less active 12 -17 year olds that take part in your program and grow the number of programs delivered. Some examples include:

• Extending the geographical reach of the program e.g. expanding a program currently only available in a few sites in metropolitan Melbourne to much greater reach in metro Melbourne and/or regional Victoria
• Engaging more program deliverers or locations to grow participation reach e.g.  more clubs/associations/leagues, employing private providers as well as considering alternate delivery locations such as parks, beaches, school facilities etc
• Engaging new segments within the 12 -17 year old age group that have not previously participated in the program e.g. delivering your program to young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

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.

What does VicHealth mean by diversity of reach?

Not everyone has equal access to opportunities to participate in sport, particularly young people who experience marginalisation or disadvantage. VicHealth want to ensure that the programs we invest in reach a broad range of young people, particularly those who can benefit most from improved health outcomes. It will be important to consider and outline how you’ll engage either young people with a disability, young people from culturally and diverse backgrounds, young people from low income areas, young Aboriginal Victorians and/or any other groups likely to experience disadvantage.

Why can’t we deliver our program in schools within school hours?

VicHealth recognises there are already many organisations working on getting 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.

This funding is focused on engaging young people aged 12 -17 to be active outside of the school day so program delivery must occur outside of school hours. We do however understand that you might need to work closely with schools to engage with young people as part of your marketing and communication approaches.

How quickly does VicHealth expect a program to grow?

If you are applying under A (established junior or adult product that can be modified or re-purposed for 12 -17 year olds) or B (established product for 12 -17 year olds introduced to Victoria for the first time) VicHealth do understand that it may take you a little time to get your program up and running in the first year but would scale progressively late in year 1, more so in year 2 and have significant reach into year 3 and beyond.

If applying under C (an established product for 12 -17 year olds, delivered in Victoria that will be scaled to extend the reach to less active youth), VicHealth will expect a much more accelerated rate of program expansion commencing in year 1. We do know that expanding your program to reach new diverse audiences e.g. Aboriginal young people may take more time and we will consider this accordingly in your applications.

Can we use school facilities?

Yes. Schools often have good facilities that are underutilised and could be used for your program. If you run your program in a school facility it must cater to young people from the entire community rather than just students 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 with young people around your program. You can run an ‘intro’ session or ‘taster’ session to give young people the opportunity to try your program. You can also use schools to pilot your program.

What does VicHealth mean by a proven or successful program?

VicHealth is keen to invest in sport programs that already have demonstrated a level of success, for instance they should engage regular participants, have established delivery models, marketing approaches and an approach to sustainability etc. As part of your application we want to see evidence that shows the program works in engaging its current audience. Whilst providing an external evaluation of the existing program would be ideal, we know that not all programs will have this. So, we’d like to see the key information you have that demonstrates your program’s  effectiveness e.g. participant numbers and reach data, case studies, evaluation findings, participant testimonials, income generated, partner endorsements or co-funding etc.

Is research on parent ‘attitudes’ available as part of the funding program materials?

Not specifically. VicHealth has provided research that is focussed directly on the young people’s experience and participation in sport and physical activity rather than their parents. However, what we do know is that it is important to clearly articulate the value of your product/program to parents to gain their buy in.

Are the youth insights relevant across different cultural segments?

The youth insights provided as part of this funding program are based on the experiences and insights of over 6600 young people aged 12 – 17 years. We know that many of the best practice design and delivery principles outlined in the research are key to creating programs that resonated with less active 12 – 17 year olds. However, if you plan to engage a specific group of young people e.g. young people from culturally diverse backgrounds, it’s important to consider specific needs or requirements that may be relevant to support their participation in your program. If you are successful in receiving funding under this program then ideally, we would like to see you engage young people from this specific group in the adaption and roll out of your program.  

Am I expected to have done any youth co-design prior to or during application phase?

There may not be time for you to undertake co-design processes with young people during the application period, which is why we have provided some insights from young people for you to consider. However, we encourage you to gather as many insights from less active young people on your program as you can within the timeframes. This will help you to demonstrate that your program will resonate with the audience.

Can both an SSA and NSO from the same sport put in separate applications for the funding?

No, VicHealth wants a sport to focus on submitting a proposal for one participation opportunity. Ideally, this proposal will have both strong state and national organisational support as well as that from the Board.

As a significant amount of time is required to consult, plan and develop a robust proposal, we encourage sports to spend the time needed to plan and scope in detail one participation opportunity that will best engage less active young people  aged 12 -17 years.

Can our SSA or NSO put in multiple applications for multiple products?

No, VicHealth wants a sport to focus on one participation opportunity in order to submit the best proposal possible. 

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’s VicHealth’s position on gender targets for sporting organisation boards?
To receive VicHealth funding, State Sporting Associations, Regional Sporting Assemblies, national and elite sporting team/club and other selected sport and recreation organisations 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 apply to all new contracts from early 2017 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 condition to have reached 40% target to receive funding.

VicHealth will be releasing further information as to the implementation of this position to funded sporting organisations over the coming months.

How does this relate to sporting organisations about to enter new funding agreements with VicHealth prior to 1 July 2019?

New funding agreements with sporting organisations entered into and conclude prior to 1 July 2019 will not be required to meet the 40% female representation on their boards in order to be funded.

However, if the funding agreement concludes after 1 July 2019, refer to the question below.

What will happen for new multi-year funding agreements that commence before 1 July 2019 and conclude post 1 July 2019? (for example a 3-year agreement for the period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2021) 

Where a new funding agreement spans multi-years, VicHealth will include a requirement for funded sporting organisations to commit to achieving the 40% target by 2019. If organisations currently do not meet the 40%, you should outline in your funding application how you intend to meet this commitment by 1 July 2019. Failure to meet this requirement may result in your organisation being ineligible for VicHealth funding and/or in termination of VicHealth funding.

What if my sporting organisation is unable to achieve the 40% target by 1 July 2019?

VicHealth is working with Sport and Recreation Victoria and Vicsport to build capacity of sports to achieve this target.

VicHealth recognises that sporting organisations vary, and that a range of factors may impact on whether a sporting organisation can achieve the 40% target by 2019.

Should this occur, VicHealth will consider these scenarios on a case by case basis. Sports who identify challenges are encouraged to make contact and advise VicHealth early.

I am currently receiving funding under the VicHealth State Sport Program, will there be any more funding available for this program when it concludes in June 2018?

No, funding under the State Sport Program concludes on 30 June 2018. However, if you are currently delivering a program for 12-17 year olds or you have a State Sport Program product that you want to  modify or repurpose for this age group,  that you believe has a strong enough evidence base behind it, you can apply for new funding under Growing Participation in Sport.