We recognise that not all Wellingtonians have the same opportunities to participate in sport and recreation and many encounter significant barriers.
While the fund is available to all Wellingtonians, we have a particular focus on supporting tamariki and rangatahi (5–24 year olds). We know that participation in sport and recreation during childhood and adolescence can have a lasting positive impact – supporting physical and mental wellbeing, building confidence, and helping young people develop social connections and life skills. Early positive experiences also increase the likelihood of lifelong participation in active lifestyles.
By prioritising tamariki and rangatahi, we aim to foster equity of access and ensure young Wellingtonians can thrive through recreation and sport.
To total fund available each year is $45,000. You can apply for up to $500 per year per individual annually, and you can reapply each year.
Who the LeisureCard Fund is for
The fund supports individuals and whānau to participate in community-level sport and active recreation, by contributing towards activity related costs such as;
- membership fees
- subscription fees
This fund sits alongside our LeisureCard scheme, which reduces the cost of accessing our pools, recreation centres, gym and swim lessons. Please note that this fund will not cover anything that is already discounted through the LeisureCard.
Examples of what the fund can be used for:
- sports fees
- dance classes
Application Criteria
Applicants must meet all the following criteria:
- you live within the Wellington City area
- you are unable to participate or continue to participate in sport or recreation activities
- you hold a LeisureCard or Community Services Card
Additional criteria
Preference will be given to applicants that meet the following additional criteria:
How to apply for funding
Applications can be made via our website:
Apply online
A sponsor (LeisureCard partner, teacher, club coach, social worker, etc.) who knows the applicant's situation must support the application.
If the applicant is under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must complete the application form on their behalf.
Applications will be reviewed, and successful applicants will receive an email informing them on the next steps about how to receive the funding support.
The approved funding will be paid directly to the supplier, club, or organisation.
Unsuccessful applicants will receive an email with a notification of the outcome.
Reporting
Once approved, the applicant agrees to help evaluate the impact of the fund by collecting information and collating it into a report, diary, or case study. This information will be sent to the fund administrator. The information will help assess:
- direct benefits of the fund on the recipient(s)
- the social or educational impact on the family/individual
- identify and incidental outcome of receiving the fund
- improvements to the funding process.
Fund review and development
The LeisureCard Fund is a new initiative and we’re committed to ensuring it meets the needs of our community. We will be reviewing the fund’s criteria, processes, and outcomes on an annual basis to ensure it continues to be effective, equitable, and fit for purpose.
More information
For more information, refer to the fund information sheet (181KB PDF).
To contact the fund administrators, email: leisurecardfund@wcc.govt.nz