Increasing age of eligibility for Ticket to Play program

Jane Howlett,Minister for Sport and Recreation

The Tasmanian Government is committed to getting more young Tasmanians into sport and promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.

As Minister for Sport and Recreation, I am excited to announce that we will be increasing the age of eligibility for our Government’s Ticket to Play program 18 year-olds.

Now in its second year, Ticket to Play provides vouchers towards the cost of sporting club memberships, as well as Scouts, Guides and Cadets for eligible applicants who are listed on a valid Centrelink Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or who are in Out of Home Care.

I’m confident this extension to 18 year-olds will be welcomed by sporting clubs and associations around Tasmania.

I was proud to recently announce the doubling of support available under this program from $100 to $200. Successful applicants will receive the voucher in the 2020-21 financial year and can chose to redeem the $200 against one sport, or split $100 between a winter and summer sport.

Our Government has provided significant support for the sport and recreation sector during COVID-19. Our Sport and Recreation Grants Program has helped to support hundreds of sporting organizations around the State while keeping hundreds of Tasmanians in their jobs through this pandemic.

In addition, we recently announced a $10 million Improving the Playing Field Fund, which will provide grants to local councils, sporting clubs and associations to improve playing facilities across Tasmania

As of 26 August 2020, more than 2,000 young people have applied for Ticket to Play vouchers and as sporting competitions resume around Tasmania following the challenges of COVID-19, I hope this important initiative helps to grow participation levels across all sporting codes.

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