$350K grant to level the field for inclusivity

Last updated on 21 September 2026

Macedon Ranges Shire Council received a Victorian government grant of $350,000 to create more inclusive jobs, volunteering and leadership opportunities for people with disability across the region's sports and recreation sector.

The funding has been awarded through the Victorian Government's Level the Field program for Council's Inclusive Clubs, Stronger Communities project.

Level the Field is delivered by Leisure Networks in partnership with Sport and Recreation Victoria. Kyneton Football Netball Club and Macedon Ranges Autism network provided letters of support to assist with the submission. The project will work with five to six local sporting clubs to identify and remove barriers within their governance, recruitment and volunteer systems.

Participating clubs will undertake inclusion and governance reviews, receive specialised training and develop Inclusive Leadership Action Plans. Accessible recruitment and onboarding resources will also be created to help clubs welcome people with disability into roles such as committee members, coaches, officials and administrators.

A Lived Experience Advisory Group will ensure people with disability are directly involved in shaping the project and its resources.

Mayor Cr Cassy Borthwick said sporting clubs played an important role in building connected and welcoming communities.

"Sporting clubs are at the heart of our communities and among the most important institutions in the Macedon Ranges. They bring people together, develop future leaders and strengthen the social connections that help our towns thrive," the Mayor said.

"This funding will help clubs identify and remove barriers that can unintentionally prevent people with disability from volunteering, coaching, serving on committees or taking on leadership roles.

"I would also like to acknowledge Council's Community and Planning team and everyone involved in developing the successful grant submission. When people are excluded from opportunities to contribute, our whole community misses out. Inclusion is not a cost, it is an investment in stronger clubs, stronger communities and better outcomes for everyone."

“People with disability bring valuable perspectives, talent and lived experience. When we create more inclusive clubs, we build stronger organisations and stronger communities.”

The project aims to create or support between eight and 12 leadership and committee placements for people with disability. It will also produce an Inclusive Sport Governance Toolkit, which will be made available to sporting clubs throughout the Macedon Ranges and relevant regional networks.

The project will run until December 2027.