THE ACT Government has awarded $250,000 to Volleyball ACT to build six beach volleyball courts at Lyneham, as part of its $2.7 million Sport and Recreation Grants Program.

Peak bodies that oversee 56 sports in the ACT will also share in $330,000 worth of additional funding in 2014, to cover core business costs like insurance, facilities and administration.

The international standard beach volleyball courts will be built behind the ACT Netball Centre at Lyneham, to allow more competitions to be held in Canberra and greater opportunities to develop local talent.

Treasurer Andrew Barr says the grant represents the first instalment of a $500,000 commitment towards the facility, with an additional $250,000 grant to be provided next year.

According to Mr Barr, Volleyball ACT have also committed “up to” $250,000 towards construction, which is anticipated to begin later this year.

In total, 78 applications representing 66 organisations were successful in the 2014 Sport and Recreation Grants Program (SRGP).

The ACT Government has also introduced the Asset Repair and Maintenance Scheme (ARMS), which has a funding pool of $400,000 to help sporting organisations with the cost of repairs and maintenance to their facilities in 2014.

Examples of other projects to be funded through the 2014 SRGP include:

• Replacement of Hockey Indoor Flooring for Hockey ACT ($150,000)

• Six-Man Outrigger Canoes for Canberra Ice Dragons ($11,850)

• Tennis Court refurbishments at Belconnen West Tennis Club ($26,500) and Weston Creek Tennis Club ($90,000)

For more information on the SRGP and ARMS funding programs, go to www.economicdevelopment.act.gov.au/sport_and_recreation.