By Dongyun Kwon
Federal Casey MP Aaron Violi called out the government in the House of Representatives on 19 August, highlighting their lengthy delays that have left Seville Cricket Club and other local clubs unable to plan for the future.
In August 2023, the Federal Government announced the Play Our Way program with a $200 million investment to improve sporting facilities and equipment specifically for women and girls.
The Play Our Way program is to be available for all sports but it is anticipated soccer, as the highest participation sport in Australia, will need significant resourcing in the wake of the greatest Women’s World Cup ever.
Mr Violi criticised the Federal Government for the delay of the Play our Way grant winners announcement and said these delays again show that this grant program was just a more rushed policy on the run from Labor as they sought to follow the lead of the Coalition.
“After the Matildas’ success last year, the Coalition committed $250 million over four years to improve female participation in sport through community sporting infrastructure upgrades,” he said.
“Days later, the Albanese Government followed our lead and announced a lesser $200 million ‘Play our Way’ program, however, August has come around again, and Labor still has not announced grant winners under their program.
“There are sporting clubs in our community eagerly awaiting the results of their grant application, who are unable to make plans for the future without answers from the government.”
The Play Our Way is an opportunity for local governments, community organisations, the not-for-profit sector and sporting organisations to seek funding for localised solutions and improvements.
Mr Violi said he would continue to advocate for female sports facilities.
“Every person, every young man and every young girl and woman, should be able to go to their club and participate on an equal playing field, and we know facilities make a big difference to that,” he said.
The grant applications for the Play Our Way program closed on 29 April.
The federal Department of Health and Aged Care opposed Mr Violi’s claim of the grant winner announcement being delayed.
The spokesperson said the timing for grant decisions is a product of the size, scale and complexity of the program, as well as the normal Australian Government processes related to probity and assessment.
“In relation to Expressions of Interest for Stream 1: Facilities, all applications have been assessed and outcomes advised. For those assessed as meeting the requirements for the next phase, a full application for funding has been requested and these applications are due by 23 September,” they said.
“Once the final competitive assessments are conducted, the Department will advise applicants and publish outcomes.
“For Stream 2: Participation & Equipment, final decisions are near completion and applicants for this stream will be notified once resolved.”
