Investing in Tasmanian sport and recreation

12 November 2020

Jane Howlett MLC

2020-21 Budget: Investing in Tasmanian sport and recreation

The Tasmanian Liberal Government has a Plan to rebuild a stronger Tasmania, with the 2020-21 Budget investing more than $19 million in our sport and recreation sectors to strengthen our regional communities.

As part of this budget, our Government is committing $2 million over four years for AFL Tasmania to continue to support community and grassroots football around the state.

We will also provide $1 million over four years to Basketball Tasmania to deliver NBL1 school clinics across Tasmania. These clinics have provided a fantastic opportunity for students to learn from some of the stars of the NBL1 competition and get a glimpse of the pathway from grassroots competition all the way to the elite level.

Football Tasmania will also benefit, with $300,000 being provided over two years to increase growth and boost the profile of women and girls participating in football in the state, leveraging off the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. This funding will also help to develop pathways and leadership opportunities for women in the sport.

A total of $2 million over four years will go to the Launceston Silverdome to assist with meeting additional operating costs. This funding will allow the facility to continue hosting numerous local, national and international sporting events, including NBL matches.

The Tasmanian Liberal Government recently extended the eligibility for the Ticket to Play program to include 18 year olds, and as part of this budget we are committing $4 million over four years to the program.

In recognition of the need to maintain and improve participation levels due to the interruption caused by COVID-19, support under Ticket to Play has doubled for the 2020-21 financial year.

Eligible participants can obtain two $100 vouchers (instead of one previously) to help with the costs associated with participating in a sporting competition. Ticket to Play is breaking down the financial barriers that prevent young Tasmanians from joining a sporting club, and in 2019 more than 6,000 Ticket to Play vouchers were issued across the State.

Sport is the lifeblood of communities across Tasmania and our Government’s significant and continued investment will help provide even more opportunities for all Tasmanians to participate in sport and lead active and healthy lifestyles.