The fund, to be invested over three years, is an open and contestable fund to support the delivery of initiatives and programmes that increase opportunities and choices, and create a more inclusive environment for participants with disabilities, with a focus on intellectual and invisible disabilities.
It is open to national and regional organisations, those with experience in using play, active recreation and sport to engage and support disabled tamariki and rangatahi, and those wishing to explore new and innovative opportunities in the space.
Sport NZ Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Rebecca Rolls said, “We are really excited about the launch of this fund and what it will mean for our disabled tamariki and rangatahi. It is so important that they have access to more and better opportunities to be physically active and that’s what Sport NZ aims to achieve through this investment.”
The Disability Inclusion fund builds on Sport NZ’s recently announced, enhanced investment to Parafeds, D-Sport and seven National Disability Sport Organisations and is the latest step in the process of delivering on the commitments of the Sport NZ 2019 Disability Action Plan.
“We believe new opportunities can be found by opening up investment to a wider range of providers. We are committed to working in partnership, investing, and building capability across the sector.
“Through the Disability Action Plan, we want to see everyone developing inclusive experiences so more disabled people can enjoy being active, for their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of our communities,” said Rebecca Rolls.
Swimming NZ Para Swimming Development Co-ordinator, Cameron Leslie said, “It’s great to see a contestable fund which will assist organisations to help young people living with an impairment to get involved, stay involved and have more opportunities.
“There are some great pockets of work being done around the country out of the goodness of people’s hearts, but that’s not a sustainable way to do it.
“Swimming NZ are passionate about growing our disabled swimmer base at all levels. There are a lot of disabled rangatahi and tamariki who simply just want to take part and be physically active, and we should support that.”
Applicant organisations will need to clearly demonstrate how they are able to make sustainable changes within their networks to positively impact on disabled tamariki and rangatahi. They can apply, individually or collectively, for single or multi-year funding for any value, up to a maximum amount of $100,000 per year.
For more information about the Disability Inclusion Fund and the application form and guidelines go to https://sportnz.org.nz/disability-inclusion-fund.
Applications close 18 October 2021.
