KidSport to get more children joining clubs

Thirty thousand (30,000) financially disadvantaged Western Australian children will have their fees to join sport and recreation clubs paid by the state government under a new initiative launched today.

Related topics: children,inclusive,sport

09 November 2011

Premier Colin Barnett said the $10million KidSport initiative would provide registration fee relief for children who may have been prevented from joining sport and recreation clubs because of their financial circumstances.

“Under the scheme, eligible children aged between five and 18 years will receive membership fee subsidies of up to $200 annually, with no restrictions on the number of children assisted in the same family,” Mr Barnett said.

“While the primary objective of KidSport is to ensure all WA children can participate in sport and recreation clubs, its secondary objective is to engage these children and their families in the community.”

Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron said the Government was a firm believer in the important role that sport and recreation played in the development of healthy children and healthy communities.

“Physical activity improves health, school performance and decision making skills.  Club membership provides children and their families with positive role models, new friendships and opportunities for community engagement,” Mr Waldron said.

“Local governments have a unique role to play in the KidSport initiative and will partner with the Department of Sport and Recreation as administrators of the program.

“Already 13 local government authorities have agreed to become KidSport sites and a further 21 local governments are expected to sign up for the winter season.”

      Fact File

• The KidSport initiative is a major component of the State Government’s Sport 4 All initiative which will receive $20million over the next four years.
• Other components of Sport 4 All are:
  • The Community Volunteer Project to attract, train and retain volunteers.
  • ClubTalk which will build the capacity of almost 100 State sport and recreation organisations and up to 5,000 clubs to utilise the latest communication technology and social media tools and expertise.
  • Support for Nature Play WA, a not-for-profit organisation founded by the Department of Sport and Recreation to promote the value of getting kids playing outside more often.