Coaching and Officiating Grants Program guidelines

About the program

The Coaching and Officiating Grants Program is available to state sporting associations (SSAs) to develop and implement sustainable strategies and initiatives that support and develop new and existing coaches and officials. The project will be required to build capacity within the SSA. For example, a mentoring program or pathway development program.

SSAs will be required to submit a project proposal identifying how the project aligns to the organisation’s coaching/officiating strategies and engagement principles.

A total of $200,000 is available in 2021/22 to support SSAs through the Coaching and Officiating Grants Program.  Each SSA can apply for up to $15,000.

Priority will be given to:

• smaller SSAs with quality, well considered applications
• programs that promote and encourage diversity or inclusion within the SSA’s coaches and officials
• applications that consider regional/remote locations, where relevant.
• applications that demonstrate the development of a coaching and officiating strategy or an existing strategy that aligns to the SSAs strategic plan.

Objectives

1. Provide support and access to development opportunities, higher level qualifications and accreditations for all coaches and officials in Western Australia.
2. To support recruitment and mentoring of coaches and officials from low participation backgrounds (e.g. people with a disability, CaLD, Indigenous).
3. To upskill existing coaches and officials to understand how to adapt and modify coaching and officiating practises and approaches to include all.
4. Assist SSAs to train and grow their coaches and officials to achieve their development goals.
5. Build capacity within the SSA to provide sustainable inclusive programs and pathways to support coaches and officials.

Coaching and officiating grants program investment framework

• SSAs may apply for up to $15,000 which must include a financial breakdown outlining the anticipated costs, and their contribution to the project (a minimum of 10% of the total project budget).
• Travel and accommodation can only account for 20% of the total project budget.

Eligible organisations

The following organisations are eligible to apply:

• have current public liability insurance to the minimum value of $10 million per claim or occurrence giving rise to a claim. A certificate of currency of insurance for the coming year must be provided upon application (if not already provided to DLGSC).

SSAs with outstanding acquittals for any DLGSC grant may have payments withheld until outstanding acquittal documentation is received.

Funding may be used for

The development and implementation of coaching and officiating capacity building projects in the areas of:

• Pathway/organisational development — development of/or existing coaching and/or officiating strategy which is linked to the SSAs strategic plan, coaching and officiating initiatives that provide sustainable and inclusive support to coach and official development.
• People development — recruitment, training and education of new and existing coaches and officials.
• Talent development and high performance — coaching/officiating clinics/workshops, accreditation for talent identified and high-performance coaches and officials including those involved in Paralympic sport (if applicable to the sport).

Eligible items may include:

• consultant, presenter and contractor fees
• travel and accommodation costs significant to the delivery of the project (20% of the total project budget only)
• hire of venues and equipment specific to the project
• catering costs (meals for coaches and officials at workshops/clinics specific to the project only).

Funding may not be used for

• current, active programs and/or initiatives
• purchase of tangible assets (e.g. sporting equipment and office equipment)
• items for projects and events being undertaken outside of Western Australia
• hospitality functions (e.g. awards dinners, serving of alcohol)
• team uniform costs
• trophies, prize money and/or gifts.

How to apply

Applicant information

• Discuss your project with your Sport Advisor prior to applying.
• Read and understand the guidelines before commencing the application process.
• Complete all sections of the application form with relevant supporting information (e.g. quotes, certificate of currency of insurance, comprehensive budget, project plan etc.).
• Submit your application to industry.development@dlgsc.wa.gov.au by 5pm, Friday 1 April 2022.

Things to note

• Incomplete applications will be considered unsuccessful upon receipt.
• One application per SSA will be considered.
• Late applications will not be accepted. 

Important dates

• Grant round opens: Monday 14 March 2022
• Grant round closes: 5pm, Friday 1 April 2022
• Assessment and recommendation process: April 2022
• Applicants notified: May 2022
• Project delivery dates: 1 June 2022 to 31 May 2023.

Assessment and acquittal process

Assessment process

• DLGSC will assess applications which comply with the eligibility criteria.
• A panel will assess eligible applications against the grant criteria.
• The panel recommends grant recipients to the Minister for Sport and Recreation for approval.
• Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified via email. 

Assessment criteria

Each application will be assessed against the following criteria:

• project aligns with the organisation’s strategic plan;
• project clearly delivers outcomes outlined in the applicant’s strategic and/or business/operational plan;
• applicant demonstrates capacity and capability to deliver the project;
• project is not currently actively being delivered;
• provision of a comprehensive, realistic, and detailed budget;
• financial commitment from the applicant to the project; and
• project is not currently supported through, or better suited to, another grant program by DLGSC.
  

If approved, a grant agreement will be entered into between the SSA and DLGSC which outlines the grant conditions and acquittal requirements. Once signed and returned, the grant will be paid directly to the SSA. No grant monies will be paid directly to an individual.

Acquittal requirements

At the completion of the project, the SSA will need to complete the acquittal documentation, acquittal statement and key results schedule, within 30 days and forward to DLGSC to demonstrate that the funds have been spent in accordance with the outlined Grant Agreement. Failure to comply with these requirements may jeopardise future funding from DLGSC.

Conditions of funding agreements

• If the SSA has an ABN and is registered for GST, the grant will be 'grossed up' by ten percent of the grant amount.
• If your organisation has an ABN and is not registered for GST, no GST will be allocated to your grant.

Freedom of information

• DLGSC will adhere to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1992 (Cth) in relation to requests for information originating from DLGSC.
• Information not originating from DLGSC but provided to DLGSC, will not be released without prior consultation with or permission by the relevant organisation.

Privacy

• All information provided to DLGSC during the grant assessment process will be stored on a database that will only be accessed by authorised departmental personnel.
• The database is subject to privacy restrictions in accordance with the Privacy Act 1998 (Cth) and the Freedom of Information Act 1992 (Cth).

DLGSC acknowledgement and evaluation

• Successful SSAs will be required to acknowledge DLGSC. Further details will be provided to successful applicants within their Grant Agreement.
• Successful SSAs will be required to participate in any research and/or evaluations relating to this funding and/or funded projects.

Contact

For information regarding the Coaching and Officiating Grants Program, or for assistance to complete an application, please contact the Industry Development team at the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC):

Telephone 61 8 6552 7300
Email industry.development@dlgsc.wa.gov.au