‘Level the Field’ opens door for regional Victorians with disability to join sport and recreation workforce

A new initiative aimed at boosting employment and volunteering for people with disability in regional Victoria’s sport and recreation sector has launched, offering fresh pathways into meaningful work and community participation.

What is Level the Field

The Level the Field program is a Victorian Government-backed grant initiative delivered in partnership with not-for-profit organisation Leisure Networks, designed to increase opportunities for people with disability to join the sport and active recreation workforce in paid and volunteer roles.

It recognises that people with disability are often underrepresented in workforce roles across regional areas, from coaching and officiating to team management, administration and committee positions. The initiative supports organisations to develop sustainable employment and volunteering pathways and to embed inclusive workforce practices across the sector.

Two grant streams targeting change

Organisations can apply for funding under two distinct streams:

• Levelling Up – employment pathways and opportunities: up to $250,000 for projects that create or expand volunteer and paid employment roles for people with disability.

• The Long Game – system and organisational change: up to $350,000 for initiatives that strengthen workforce capability and embed long-term inclusive practices at organisational or sector level.

Projects supported might include traineeship and employment programs, volunteer training, governance improvements, disability employment planning and designing workplaces that are welcoming and accessible for people with lived experience of disability.

Designed for sustainability and collaboration

A key feature of Level the Field is its emphasis on co-design: funded initiatives should be shaped by and for people with lived experience of disability, ensuring that outcomes are practical and long-lasting.

The program will run from 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2027, with applications open now until 26 February 2026.

Who can apply

A wide range of regional organisations are eligible, including state sporting associations, regional sports assemblies, local government bodies, health and disability providers, sport and active recreation leagues or associations, and community groups with a focus on participation.

Support beyond funding

Successful applicants will also be connected with a Learning and Development Hub – a resource centre providing training and guidance on best practice inclusion in sport and active recreation. Regionally based inclusion coaches will work with funded projects to integrate lived experience perspectives and foster confidence in inclusive workforce approaches.

Why it matters

The Level the Field initiative forms part of Victoria’s broader All Abilities Sport Fund and All Abilities Workforce and Sector Support Program, a $40 million effort to break down barriers and expand participation for people with disability across sport and active recreation.

By investing in pathways to employment and volunteering, the program not only enriches the lives of individual Victorians with disability but strengthens regional communities by making sport and recreation more inclusive, diverse and resilient.

Applications are open now. For details and eligibility information, visit the Level the Field website.