Nic Street,Minister for Sport and Recreation
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is working 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.
One important way we are doing this is through our Ticket to Play vouchers program.
This vital program reduces the cost of participation in sport by providing eligible children aged from five to 18 years with two $100 vouchers to use for registration costs.
These vouchers provide assistance for families on fixed incomes that may struggle with the costs associated with joining a sporting club.
Today I am very pleased to announce that nearly 12,000 vouchers have now been issued under the 2021-22 Program.
That means that thousands of young Tasmanians who may not have had the opportunity to take up a sport due to financial barriers have been able to do so.
The response to Ticket to Play from the community and activity providers has been overwhelmingly positive.
Jodi Harrison from Swim Central in New Town wrote to the Department of Communities Tasmania stating:
“Ticket to Play is a game changer for children who might normally miss out on swimming due to financial stress. The availability of funding for a life-saving skill like swimming for these kids is a real blessing.”
Jodi went on to say that she had a parent come in and use her Ticket to Play vouchers for her two children and said “I’m so grateful for this, I don’t think we could afford the regular lessons without it.”
Tracy Canham from Little Athletics Tasmania said:
“The Tasmanian Government’s Ticket to Play program has assisted hundreds of children participate in Little Athletics this past season.
“Despite the challenges COVID had presented us with over the past two seasons, membership in Little Athletics Centres across Tasmania has increased, thanks largely to the Ticket to Play program which supports families who would otherwise struggle with registration fees.”
Every young Tasmanian deserves to lead an active and healthy lifestyle and we will do everything we can to encourage and support them to achieve this.
