SUPPORTING GRASSROOTS AND COMMUNITY-BASED SPORT AND RECREATION INITIATIVES

Nic Street MP, Minister for Sport and Recreation

The Tasmanian Liberal Government believes that every Tasmanian deserves to lead an active and healthy lifestyle and we will do everything we can to encourage and support them to achieve this.

This State Budget is about strengthening Tasmania’s future and making Tasmanians’ priorities our priorities.

This is why we are investing significantly into grassroots and community-based sport and recreation initiatives.

As part of the 2022-23 Budget, we will provide $75,000 per year over two years to Reclink Tasmania. This funding will allow Reclink to continue providing support for at risk and disadvantaged Tasmanians to enjoy sporting activities by extending its Reclink Community Series to the North and North West of Tasmania.

In an effort to increase female participation in sport, $185,000 per year over four years from 2022-2026 is being provided for a strategy to achieve outcomes aligned to the National Policy Framework for Girls and Women in Sport. The strategy will consider and address all aspects of sporting participation including coaching, officiating, leadership, administration, player support and participation.

To assist with growing the game of Netball in Tasmania and provide a pathway for young players to aspire to, we have committed $200,000 in 2022-23 for Netball Tasmania to support the game at the grassroots and elite levels.

To help get more Tasmanians active, $500,000 is being provided for the construction of a new St Helen’s Pump Track to facilitate use by scooters, skateboarders, BMX and mountain-bikes; $100,000 has already been provided in 2021-22 and $400,000 will be allocated in 2022-23.

In acknowledgement of our State’s proud football history, we have allocated $250,000 in 2022-23 for the development of a new Australian Rules History and Heritage Museum to house and preserve Tasmanian football memorabilia.

Sporting clubs are the lifeblood of communities around Tasmania, that’s why $300,000 is being provided in 2022-23 for the Sport and Recreation Grants program which supports the continued capacity growth of the sector and ongoing provision of safe, fair and inclusive sport and recreation in the State.

In 2021-22, we doubled funding for our Ticket to Play Program, with an additional $3 million over three years from 2021-24 and we are proud to see the continuation of this vital program which reduces the cost of participating in sport for eligible children by providing them with two $100 vouchers towards sporting club memberships.

We are working hard to get more young Tasmanians moving and into sport, and one of my key priorities as Minister for Sport and Recreation is increasing participation at the grassroots and community level.

I’m very proud to be part of a Government with heart that delivers on its commitments for all Tasmanians.