Thursday, 1 August 2024

Ministers statements: community sport

Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (14:05): I rise to inform the house of the important work taking place to help create the next generation of Victorian Olympians. As any athlete can tell you, facilities are only one part of the winning equation. Our $200 Get Active Kids vouchers address three significant cost barriers to participating in sport: uniforms, equipment and registrations. These vouchers are making a huge difference for kids right across Victoria. The top five sports under the voucher model will come as no surprise to members or to keen Olympic viewers: swimming, basketball, gymnastics, round-ball football and athletics. This year’s budget included $6 million to continue this vital program, ensuring that eligible families will have access to funding that we know can be the difference between participating or not. Almost 150,000 vouchers have been distributed through the seven rounds of the program so far, and with round 8 opening in spring there are more vouchers on the way.

Access for all Victorians is a crucial component of our ongoing investment, with the all-abilities workforce and sector support program launching this year. Round 1 of the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund has funded several projects, including the $1 million all-abilities infrastructure upgrade at Wallington Reserve, home of the Bellarine Bears Baseball Club and Wallington Cricket Club. The member for Bellarine knows how important that project is and the benefits it has beyond the nine baseball players on a team, with an additional $50,000 for these teams to deliver an all-abilities participation initiative to break down barriers and get more people into sport, emulating their Olympic and Paralympic heroes. With 10 days to go until the closing ceremony, I wish all our athletes the best of luck as they inspire the next generation of Olympians and Paralympians.