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- Valley Sport eNews - February 2026
Valley Sport eNews - February 2026
Valley Sport eNews - 1 February 2026
Welcome to our first Valley Sport update for the year. After a big 2025, we’re back refreshed and ready to continue working alongside clubs, volunteers, councils and partners to support strong, safe and inclusive sport across our region. In this edition, we’re excited to share our newly launched Strategic Plan, the Valley Sport podcast, upcoming programs and workshops, funding opportunities, and practical ways we can support your club - all focused on creating better lives through sport, from the Mountains to the Murray.
Valley Sport Strategic Plan 2026–2029 - Now Live
We were proud to officially launch our Strategic Plan 2026–2029 during January, setting a clear direction for the next four years as we continue working towards better lives through sport - from the Mountains to the Murray.
This Strategic Plan reflects the voices, experiences and aspirations of our region. Developed through consultation with clubs, volunteers, councils and partners, it outlines how Valley Sport will focus its efforts to best support safe, inclusive and sustainable community sport and active recreation across our seven Local Government Areas.
Our focus for the next four years
The Strategic Plan is built around three key pillars that will guide our work:
Capability (with Clubs): Strengthening clubs and volunteers through support, governance and capacity building
Connection (with Community): Growing participation and creating welcoming, inclusive pathways for everyone
Collaboration (with Partners): Working together to strengthen the sport and recreation sector across the region
These pillars are supported by strong organisational enablers, including our people, financial sustainability, business support, and data and technology.
A shared vision
Sport plays a vital role in connecting communities, supporting wellbeing and creating a sense of belonging. This plan is an invitation to everyone - clubs, volunteers, partners and community members - to work with us in harnessing the power of sport for positive community impact.
We would like to sincerely thank Andrew Larratt from Strategem Holdings Pty Ltd for his expertise and support in helping prepare and pull together this Strategic Plan, along with everyone across our region who contributed their time and insights.
👉 Read the full Strategic Plan here: Valley Sport Strategic Plan 2026 - 2029
We look forward to delivering on this plan together as we continue to support community sport and active recreation across our region.
Better lives through sport – from the Mountains to the Murray.
🎙️ Valley Sport Podcast Now Streaming
In December 2025, Valley Sport proudly launched its very first podcast, From the Mountains to the Murray - a new way to share the stories, challenges and wins shaping community sport across our region.
Since launching, the podcast has taken listeners behind the scenes of grassroots sport, spotlighting the people and clubs who keep our communities active, connected and thriving.
Across the first episodes, we’ve:
✔️ Heard from Valley Sport leaders about the heartbeat of regional sport
✔️ Explored the importance of child safety and club compliance
✔️ Highlighted training and development opportunities supporting volunteers and committees
✔️ Hit the road to clubs like Broadford Bowls Club, showcasing how programs like Club Hubs are strengthening governance, sustainability and volunteer capacity
Each conversation is practical, honest and grounded in real experiences - designed to help clubs feel supported, informed and inspired.
Whether you’re a committee member, coach, volunteer or community partner, there’s something in every episode for you.
🎧 Catch up or subscribe
You can listen anytime:
👉 Spotify – subscribe to be notified when new episodes drop
👉 Transistor.fm – stream all episodes directly online
We’re excited to keep sharing more stories from across the region in 2026 - celebrating the people, partnerships and programs building better lives through sport, from the Mountains to the Murray.
 | Shepparton First Aid & CPR Courses – Book Now!Be prepared. Build confidence. Keep your club and community safe. We have two upcoming First Aid & CPR training dates in Shepparton, ideal for volunteers, coaches, staff and community members who want the skills to respond in an emergency. Tuesday 11 February 2026
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 | LEVEL UP Your Club’s Child Safety ConfidenceMissed our last online session? Don’t miss this one! Join Valley Sport for a free 30-minute online workshop covering what your club needs to know about child safety and your legal obligations - and how our Level Up portal makes it simple to stay compliant. 🔗 Register now: https://wkf.ms/4q8xnzU Available to sporting clubs across Moira, Benalla, Mansfield, Strathbogie, Mitchell, Murrindindi & Greater Shepparton. |
 | Let’s build more inclusive sport volunteering togetherSport thrives when everyone feels welcome - and volunteering should be no different. Join Valley Sport, in partnership with the Australian Sports Commission, Sport Volunteer Coalition, for a practical, hands-on workshop exploring how we can better engage under-represented communities in sport volunteering. This interactive session will bring clubs and organisations together to share experiences, listen, and co-design real solutions that make volunteering more accessible, inclusive and sustainable across our region. |
 | Free Inclusion Workshop for Coaches & VolunteersWant to feel more confident supporting players with disability and creating welcoming, inclusive club environments? Join Valley Sport for a free 90-minute Inclusion Workshop designed for grassroots coaches, volunteers and committee members. Hear from guest speakers with lived experience and walk away with practical strategies you can use straight away at your club. |
 | Pedal 2 Power Expression of Interest - Inclusive Learn to Ride ProgramPedal 2 Power offers a fun, safe and inclusive space for children and young people with disability to learn how to ride, build confidence and stay active. Participants develop bike skills, make friends and grow coordination - all in small, supportive groups. 🔗 https://wkf.ms/48MGQWC |
🌿 Back for 2026 and ready to support our clubs
After a big and rewarding 2025, the Valley Sport team has returned refreshed, recharged and ready for the year ahead. We’re grateful for the chance to rest and recover over summer, and we’re excited to be back out across the region supporting our clubs, volunteers and communities.
From workshops and programs to one-on-one support and new opportunities, we’re here to help local sport thrive - however and whenever you need us.
Here’s to another year of working together to create better lives through sport, from the Mountains to the Murray.
Standing with our Sporting Communities Our thoughts are with the sporting clubs, volunteers, members and communities across Victoria impacted by the 2026 bushfires. For many clubs, the impact goes far beyond facilities. It affects people, routines, seasons, and the simple but powerful connection that sport brings to communities. Recovery isn’t just about reopening doors - and there’s no right timeline for what that looks like. Every club’s situation is different. Every community heals at its own pace. When the time feels right, Valley Sport is here to walk alongside you. We can offer practical, flexible support - whether that’s short-term planning, governance guidance, help navigating grants and funding, or simply a conversation to talk through next steps. Sometimes it’s not about solutions straight away - it’s just about knowing someone’s in your corner. There’s no pressure to act and no expectation to have everything figured out. Support is available when and how it’s needed. In the meantime, take care of yourselves and one another. Sport has always been a place communities come together - and we’ll be here when you’re ready. |  |
We are proud to be a member of the Greater Shepparton Disability Advisory Committee, working alongside Council and community representatives to help create more inclusive, accessible opportunities across our region - including in sport and recreation. Greater Shepparton City Council is now developing its Universal Access and Inclusion Plan 2026–2030, and they’re seeking feedback directly from the community. Whether you live with a disability, care for someone who does, or have insights about access and inclusion locally, your voice will help shape future priorities and actions. You can complete the survey online or pick up a hardcopy from Council’s Customer Service Centre. 👉 Learn more and share your feedback: https://buff.ly/oIO8ws1 |  |
 Toyota Good for Cricket Raffle Fundraising Opportunity |  Sport & Recreation Victoria Country Football and Netball Program Amount: Councils being able to apply for up to $250,000 |
Sport & Recreation Victoria Emergency Sporting Equipment Grant Program Amount: up to $2,000 |  Moira Shire Council Community Quick Response Grants Amount: up to $5,000 |
If you have any questions or would like assistance applying for any of the above grants, please don’t hesitate to get in contact.
Follow the Valley Sport Facebook page to keep up to date with resources and tips that will be useful for you and your club. We encourage you to share our posts with your members.
Valley Sport are always here to support your club and you can reach us via the platforms below:
Email: [email protected]
Valley Sport Website: https://valleysport.net.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValleySport.GVSA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valleysport.gvsa/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/valleysportgvsa
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