Who We Are

At Valley Sport, we’re all about supporting local sports clubs and creating inclusive communities through sport and recreation. Based in Shepparton, we serve seven local government areas in the Goulburn Valley region, providing information, advice, and development opportunities to help clubs succeed. Valley Sport has a long history of partnering with LGAs, SSAs, service providers, and clubs to deliver successful programs in our region. Our core business focuses on club development and inclusive participation, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to engage in sport.

We’re committed to working collaboratively with clubs and local partners, promoting good governance and transparency. We also act as a voice for local sport and recreation organisations, ensuring that the Goulburn Valley has a say in state-wide policies and priorities.

Our Vision and Values

Our vision is simple: To develop healthy, active and connected communities through sport and recreation.

We are driven by these core values:

  • Sustainability: Improved sustainability of programs, people facilities and financial resources
  • Inclusion: Improved accessibility that encourages participation and engagement
  • Expert Knowledge: Promote continuous learning and seek to be expert industry leaders
  • Partnerships: Leverage new and existing partnerships for the greatest returns and outcomes
  • Innovation: Pioneer thinking to promote positive change and outcomes for all

 

Purposes of Valley Sport

  • provide leadership to strengthen the capacity of communities to improve health and wellbeing through participation in sport and active recreation; 
  • act as the voice for sport and recreation and sporting and recreational organisations in the region including but not limited to:
    • promoting a greater community awareness of sport and recreation in the region and its contribution to society; 
    • promoting and holding, either alone or jointly with other bodies, meetings, educative exercises and other activities for the region; 
    • promoting, encouraging and providing facilities and materials for education relating to sport and recreation for the region; 
    • representing the interests of sport and recreation and participants in sport and recreation in the region at all levels; 
    • ensuring regional input into sport and recreation policies, priorities and decisions of the State of Victoria and other organisations; 
    • encouraging co-operation amongst sporting and recreational organisations in the region;  
    • liaising with all levels of government, sporting and recreational organisations and private sector interests in sport and recreation, to initiate projects and programs to meet the needs of the region; and 
    • pursuing, supporting and promoting and conducting such programs and projects that relate to sport and recreation and to the other activities of Valley Sport; 
  • affiliate and/or otherwise liaise with persons and organisations in the region and elsewhere which have objects and purposes similar to those of Valley Sport; 
  • encourage a sense of sportsmanship in the region; 
  • collect, distribute and publish information in connection with sport, recreation and related issues; 
  • lobby, strive for and maintain government, media, commercial and public recognition of Valley Sport and sport and recreation in the region; and 
  • undertake and or do all such things or activities which are necessary, incidental or conducive to the advancement of these purposes. 

Our History

Sports Assemblies

Sports Assemblies came into existence after the release in 1983 of the policy paper ‘Sport in Victoria’. This paper covered all future aspects of planning, development and funding for sport. It recognised the need to cover many regional areas. The concept of ‘Sports Assemblies’ was born

In 1984 a sports council comprising of people who were nominated by sporting bodies, government and local council was formed and so the notion of ‘self-management of sport by sport’ began for the Goulburn region.

On the 18th June 1985 the Goulburn Region Sports Assembly was officially incorporated. After four years of operation the organisation opted for a name change, the Goulburn Valley Sports Assembly was born on the 2nd August 1989.

Reflecting moving practices, on the 2nd February 2000, the organisation changed the business name to Valley Sport, still this remains today.

Valley Sport is a proud member of Regional Sport Victoria (RSV), the leading body supporting regional sport across Victoria. RSV provides advocacy, leadership, and strategic support to nine Regional Sports Assemblies (RSAs) across the state. With connections to 8,500 clubs, RSV helps ensure that regional clubs have access to training, resources, and advocacy for stronger, more sustainable futures.

RSV works with 48 local government authorities, representing 1.5 million Victorians, to deliver state-funded programs, provide support for clubs, and foster new partnerships.