Athlete Support Fund

Echuca Moama Basketball Association Athlete Support Fund

Purpose

The Echuca Moama Basketball Association Athlete Support Fund exists to:

• Remove or reduce financial barriers for junior athletes to access community sport
  Many young athletes face challenges in meeting the costs associated with participation, such as registration fees, uniforms, equipment, and travel. Without financial assistance, these costs may prevent children from joining teams, attending training, or competing in events. Targeted support from the fund helps make basketball accessible to all, lessening the impact of financial hardship.

• Promote inclusion and equal access to sporting opportunities
  Sport should be a place where everyone feels welcome, valued, and able to participate, regardless of their financial circumstances. The fund actively works to level the playing field by enabling all eligible athletes to take part in the same programs, competitions, and pathways as their peers. This inclusive approach fosters diversity within our teams and ensures that talent, enthusiasm, and commitment, not financial means determine an athlete’s opportunity to be involved.

• Strengthen community connection through participation in sport
  Basketball is more than a game—it’s a space where young people develop friendships, teamwork skills, confidence, and resilience. By supporting athletes in need, the fund helps keep them connected to positive role models, mentors, and peers. In turn, this builds a stronger, more united basketball community where every athlete’s contribution is valued and celebrated.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for support through the Echuca Moama Basketball Association Athlete Support Fund, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Age & Membership

   • The athlete must be a registered junior member (under 18) of the Echuca Moama Basketball Association (EMBA) or a prospective member hoping to engage in programs in the immediate future.

2. Financial Need

   • The family/parent/guardian must demonstrate financial hardship that creates a barrier to the athlete’s participation in basketball (e.g., difficulty covering costs of registration, uniforms, equipment, or travel).

3. Active Participation

   • The athlete must demonstrate a genuine commitment to participating in EMBA programs, competitions, or representative opportunities.

4. Residency

   • The athlete must reside in Echuca, Moama, or surrounding regions serviced by the EMBA.

5. Use of Funds

   • Assistance must directly relate to basketball participation (e.g., fees, uniforms, equipment, travel expenses). Funds will not be provided for unrelated personal costs.

6. One Application per Season

   • Each athlete may only apply once per season. Further applications may be considered in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the panel.

7. Good Standing

   • Applicants and their families must be in good standing with the EMBA (e.g., adhering to codes of conduct and club expectations).

Application Process

1. Inquiries & Questions
All questions regarding the fund should be directed to the Support Fund Liaison Officer. The Support Fund Liaison Officer is a person independent of the EMBA Committee, who acts as a liaison between the applicants and the independent assessment panel. The contact email of the Support Fund Liaison Officer Lisa Leeds is as follows: embaathletesupport@gmail.com.

2. Application Submission
Applicants must complete and submit the official Google Form. Link to Google Form below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OoE4qpafFmBOPyObfNmiTuGRZgieN93_-fPLu5gGQAo/edit

3. Review & Recommendation
Applications will be reviewed by an independent assessment panel. The panel will evaluate each application based on demonstrated need and eligibility, and make a recommendation to the EMBA Committee for final approval.

Funding Options

Support may be provided through one or more of the following, depending on the applicant’s circumstances:

• Direct payment for registration or equipment costs

• Concession of fees (e.g., reduced registration or participation costs)

• Fuel or accommodation assistance for travel to competitions or training

Confidentiality & Funding Limitations

• All applications and supporting documents will be handled with strict confidentiality and accessed only by authorised personnel.

• The fund operates within a limited annual budget. Support amounts cannot exceed available funds. Once the budget is fully allocated, no further assistance will be provided until additional funding is secured.

Commitment to Fairness

The EMBA Athlete Support Fund is dedicated to ensuring all young athletes have the opportunity to participate and succeed in sport, regardless of financial circumstances. We appreciate your cooperation in supporting a fair, transparent, and respectful process.

For further information, please contact the Support Fund Liaison Officer via email embaathletesupport@gmail.com