Valley Sport eNews - September 2025

Valley Sport eNews - 1 September2025

August 31, 2025

Hey there! August was full of highlights - from launching Level Up, to delivering Game Plan workshops, Emergency Resilience training, and taking part in a powerful Cultural Awareness session. We’re excited to share these stories, upcoming opportunities, and ways we’re building stronger, safer, and more inclusive community sport together. 🌟

🚀 Level Up: A New Tool for Safer, More Inclusive Clubs

We are very excited to share the successful launch of Level Up - a brand-new online platform designed to support community sporting clubs with child safe compliance.

Launched on Monday 4 August, Level Up is already helping clubs, coaches, and volunteers create safer and more inclusive sporting environments for children and young people. The tool has been co-created with industry experts, child safeguarding specialist Sam Dellamarta and inclusive sport specialist Michael Woods, ensuring it combines best practice with practical, real-world solutions.

Thanks to the support of Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Together More Active and Sustainable Volunteer Workforce programs, we are rolling out the platform across the Moira, Mitchell, Murrindindi, Benalla, Strathbogie, Mansfield, and Greater Shepparton shires.

What does Level Up offer clubs?

  • Step-by-step guidance aligned with the Victorian Child Safe Standards

  • Interactive education modules for coaches and volunteers

  • Editable policies, templates, and resources

  • A recognition system to acknowledge clubs taking proactive steps

Designed specifically for community sport, Level Up makes compliance simple by breaking down complex requirements into manageable, achievable actions - especially helpful for regional and volunteer-run clubs.

Clubs who would like to access the platform and receive support can get in touch with us at [email protected]

Deepening Our Understanding: Cultural Awareness and First Nations Training

During August, the Valley Sport team had the privilege of attending a powerful Cultural Awareness and First Nations Training session at the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence.

Delivered as part of Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Together More Active program, the session provided an invaluable opportunity to deepen our understanding of Aboriginal histories, cultures, and perspectives – and to reflect on how we can help build more inclusive, culturally safe environments in community sport.

We were honoured to learn from an outstanding group of presenters:

🗣️ Dean Duncan and Rhian Dicker (VicHealth) – sharing The Hidden Histories of Aboriginal Australia, a confronting yet essential exploration of Australia’s past through a First Nations lens.
🗣️ Jane Lewis (ARC Anti Racism), Joyce Doyle (Yorta Yorta Elder, former Rumbalara FNC player and leader), and Brian Andy (Yorta Yorta – Yullaba Yullab) – delivering evidence-based, community-led anti-racism training, insights into what racism is (and isn’t) and its impact on the Rumbalara FNC community, along with practical actions to help challenge and end racism in sport and beyond.

This was an eye-opening and deeply meaningful experience for our team – building knowledge, empathy, and a renewed commitment to advancing reconciliation through sport.

Upcoming Emergency Resilience Toolkit Workshops

We’re excited to share that our next round of Emergency Resilience Toolkit Workshops are heading to Benalla and Seymour this October – proudly supported by funding from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR).

Seymour Workshop
🗓 Monday 13 October 2025
🕕 6:00pm – 7:30pm | 📍 Venue TBC
🔗 Register here for Seymour


Benalla Workshop
🗓 Monday 27 October 2025
🕕 6:00pm – 7:30pm | 📍 Venue TBC
🔗 Register here for Benalla

Stay tuned for more details on venues – and make sure to secure your spot early!

If you have any questions please contact Nate Dedman via email at [email protected]

Upcoming Learning Opportunity: 2025 CPR Group Webinar Series

At Valley Sport, we know that strong clubs are built on good governance and the right knowledge. That’s why we’re excited to share the 2025 CPR Group Webinar Series – a fantastic opportunity for community sport clubs to build capacity and confidence.

CPR Group are national experts in governance and sport & recreation best practice, and their webinars are designed to provide practical, easy-to-implement strategies to help your club thrive.

Best of all, these sessions are free – giving clubs access to expert advice and the chance to connect with other leaders across the community sport sector.

Celebrating Childrens Week in Mooroopna!

Want to Give Badminton a Go in Wallan?

Shepparton Get Ready for the All Abilities Carnival!

AFL Nines Registrations - click here

Netball Registrations - click here

Join the Red Shoes Rock FASD Awareness Walking Challenge…

Out and About in August…

August was a huge month for Valley Sport, with our team out and about across the region helping clubs build stronger, safer, and more resilient futures.

In Mitchell Shire, Project Officer Sharna joined Alan Hale from Mitchell Shire Council at Broadford Bowls Club to chat governance, Club Hub, and the club’s future goals.

Later in the month, she was back in Broadford alongside our Executive Officer Megan, leading a Game Plan workshop with five local clubs. The session focused on Governance and Women & Girls in Sport, with clubs completing surveys to kick-start tailored action plans. The room was buzzing with constructive conversations, idea sharing, and a clear commitment to growth, inclusivity, and positive change.

Meanwhile, in Moira Shire, Project Officer Lucy hit the ground running – meeting with local clubs, connecting with Council, and attending the All-Abilities Advisory Committee. She also helped launch the new Level Up Child Safe Portal with Tungamah Football Netball Club, supporting their commitment to creating safer environments for kids in sport. Over in Yarrawonga/Mulwala, Lucy facilitated a Game Plan Governance session with the Table Tennis Association – a shining example of strong leadership and governance maturity.

Lucy also visited the Benalla and District Darts Association (BDDA), where the team worked through the Game Plan Governance Module. Strengthening governance will help BDDA continue offering a fun, inclusive, all-abilities sport for people of all ages in Benalla. And yes – Lucy even had a throw at the board herself… potential darts champion in the making!

To round out the month, we proudly hosted our very first Emergency Resilience Workshop at La Trobe Shepparton Campus. Thirteen clubs from five different townships came together, with over 20 participants learning practical tips and strategies to safeguard their organisations from emergencies. Huge thanks to Kristie Welch (Greater Shepparton City Council) and Sara-Jane Bowering (Victoria State Emergency Service) for sharing their expertise, and to La Trobe for providing the space. The workshop was filled with shared stories, valuable insights, and a strong sense of collaboration. We’ll now be working one-on-one with clubs to develop tailored resilience plans, and the next session – Plan Development – will be announced soon. Don’t worry if you missed the first one, you can still join in!

This initiative is proudly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments in response to the October 2022 flood event that impacted communities across Greater Shepparton.

💬 Want to learn more about how we can support your club?
Reach out at [email protected]

Moira Shire Council

Community Quick Response Grants

Amount: up to $5,000
Status: OPEN, all year round

Moira Shire Council

Community Strengthening Grants

Amount: up to $10,000
Status: OPEN, closes 14/10/2025

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:

You are receiving this e-newsletter to keep up to date with information from the sport and recreation industry