South Australians kids have gone sports mad amid a beefed-up vouchers program which has now saved mums and dads almost $5 million in just over six months.
Figures from the Office of Recreation, Sport and Racing show that between January 1 and July 15 this year, 51,117 vouchers have been used to save taxpayers $4,832,711.
This figure has boomed from 36,049 vouchers and $1,796,322 for the same period in 2018.
The increase in the Program has been triggered by a Marshall Government initiative which doubled the voucher value from $50 to $100 – returning millions back into the pockets of hardworking parents whose primary school-aged children take up local sports.
The popularity of the Sports Vouchers Program reiterates how important it is for the State Liberal Government to continue to build our local club’s facilities to cope with the increasing demand.
Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Corey Wingard said: “There has been a boom in participation rates and we are making sure the local sporting community is ready for that by helping to build the infrastructure clubs need to accommodate them.”
“The value of a community sporting lifestyle for our kids cannot be underestimated.
“It fosters both physical health through an active lifestyle and increased mental health through extensive social networks.”
The Grassroots Football, Cricket and Netball Grants Program is unlocking up to $24 million for family-friendly facilities to ensure all teams have access to changerooms which cater for their male and female sides as well as visiting opponents at the same time.
The State Government, through the Office of Recreation Sport nd Racing, is also pulling together a sporting infrastructure plan which will give the community a sporting roadmap to deal with participation increase and also provide advice to a Commonwealth Games feasibility study which is currently underway.
The Marshall Government has committed to more than $100 million of investment into South Australian sports since the March election.
